Table 5 Attributions of ‘Success’ and ‘Failure’ in relation to COAG National Action Plan initiatives
COAG National Action Plan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Policy Lever | Policy Objective | Proposal(s) | Success | Failure |
Organisation | R&SA Improve youth mental health services | Review and consolidate existing youth mentoring and early intervention programs into a single program Initiate new youth early intervention projects | O- Substantively met | |
R&SA Offer increased support for carers and families of people with mental illness | Introduce a new Family Mental Health Support Service Increase mental health respite services for carers | O- Substantively met R- Increase in respite places Increase in education and formal support services | ||
R&SA Greater employment and day-to-day living support for the mentally ill Indicators 9 and 10 | Increase places in day-to-day living support programs and Personal Support program Increase number of Personal Helpers and Mentors Introduce Disability Employment Services group | O- Substantively met Disability Employment Services Group introduced R- Increase in funding and service provision | R- Employment rates remain low among the target group | |
R&SA Increase mental health workforce | Increase the number of supported places in university mental health degrees, particularly to Indigenous students Specific funding targeted towards increasing Indigenous health workforce | O- Substantively met R- Increase in supported places and scholarships for formal training | ||
SS Improve and integrate drug and alcohol services within broader mental health services | Provide additional funding to drug and alcohol service providers | O- Substantively met R- Funding increased, grants awarded to NGOs | ||
R&SA Increase service coverage in rural/remote areas Indicator 5 | Introduce a 24-h 7 day mental health telephone service Increase web-based mental health resources | O- Substantively met Flexible service delivery modes introduced (telephone, online services) | ||
SS Improve coordination of care Indicator 7 | Introduce step-up and step-down community facilities Utilise community coordinators | O- Partially met R- Principles and implementation guidelines developed | R- Variable progress in jurisdictions Lack of consistent approach or outcome Lack of accountability | |
Regulation | SQ&E Increase consultation between State/Territory and Federal Governments | Establish COAG Mental Health Groups in each jurisdiction | O- Substantively met | |
SQ&E Increased accountability for reform outcomes | Publish official progress reports annually | O- Substantively met | ||
Payment | R&SA Improve service provision in rural/remote areas | Use of flexible funding models to improve access to allied and nursing mental health services in rural and regional areas | O- Substantively met | |
R&SA Increase health workforce in rural and remote areas, particularly mental health nurses Indicator 5 | Introduce Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program Introduce flexible employment schemes for rural and regional areas | O- Substantively met Incentives and flexible employment schemes introduced | ||
SS Improve links between primary and secondary providers Indicator 5 | Introduction of new MBS items to support referral between health practitioners | O- Substantively met | ||
Community Education | R&SA Review mental health content in tertiary health degrees | Review mental health content in tertiary health degrees | O- Substantively met R- Final project reports identify an increased focus on mental health in both theoretical and clinical subjects | |