Applying the NMHSPF to support integrated mental health planning in regional Queensland
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research partnered with Queensland Health and Primary Health Networks in Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast to develop a new model for improving mental health care in rural and regional Queensland.
Preliminary work found that the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF), developed by the Australian Department of Health and state and territory governments, could effectively support integrated regional mental health planning efforts between Primary Health Networks and state hospital and health services by providing population-based needs and resource estimates across the mental health services spectrum.
The project was undertaken by using the NMHSPF to map the capacity and delivery of existing mental health services against projected service needs in regional Queensland.
This project provided the evidence needed to develop a model capable of underpinning a more integrated mental health system that can service the needs of people in regional and rural communities.
The team found the tool could successfully identify priority areas for the mental health system in rural and regional Queensland including improving access to public ambulatory services and primary mental health services, and supporting rehabilitation services for individuals with severe mental illness.
They also found the NMHSPF tool could be improved by including service models more suited to rural and remote settings and specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service models.
It quickly emerged that there was a significant need for alternative service models in the framework that are suited to regional and rural communities. These models could include staffing face-to-face services with salaried providers in place of fee-for-service models, training or up-skilling members of the local population, and providing tele- and e-mental health services.
Since the study was originally conducted, its findings have prompted ongoing work in consultation with clinicians, researchers, consumers and carers to review the NMHSPF and improve its applicability to rural, remote and indigenous settings.
The Australian Journal of Primary Health published the study on 3 March 2021.
