10 October 2006

Iemma Government mental health training for GPs

The Iemma Government will invest a further $360,000 in providing specialist mental health training for GPs.

NSW Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos, made the announcement today while officially opening Mental Health Week.

"We know that the local GP is often the first port of call for people who suffer from a mental illness - particularly high prevalence disorders like depression and anxiety," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Around a third of all people who suffer from a mental illness will go to their GP before going to anyone else for treatment.

"There is more to do to provide GPs with the specialist skills needed for identifying and treating mental illness, but we are heading in the right direction."

The Iemma Government will work in partnership with the NSW Institute of Psychiatry to provide the opportunity for GPs to extend their training in mental health.

A three-tiered education program will be offered including scholarships through the NSW Institute of Psychiatry for:

• 60 places for rural GPs to be enrolled in a specialist workshop program;
• 12 GPs to complete a Graduate Certificate course in mental health;
• 10 to enrol in the Graduate Diploma; and
• 5 in the Masters of Mental Health course.

"These are the only general practice oriented mental health postgraduate degrees available in Australia," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"And our additional support for GPs will mean that they are better equipped to help people when they need it most.

"While the Federal Government failed to respond to the need to better train our doctors and nurses in mental health - the Iemma Government is making real progress.

"We are taking the delivery of mental health services in a new direction - with a $939 million package over five years to provide better care for people with a mental illness, their families and carers," Mr Hatzistergos said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au