Welfare Reform on the Web (February 2006): Mental Health Services - Overseas

Impact of Australia's 'Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care' initiative in Melbourne

I.H. Minas, S. Klimidis and R. Kokanovic

Primary Care Mental Health, vol.3, 2005, p.111-121

The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) initiative was introduced by the Commonwealth government in 2001 to improve mental health care in general practice by providing specialist training to general practitioners, supporting linkages to allied mental health practitioners and psychiatrists, and offering incentive payments for mental health work. Results of a survey of general practitioners working in Melbourne showed initial impacts of the scheme on GP attitudes, needs and practice to be modest. There remain substantial needs for specialist training in mental health care and for specialist advice and supervision.