QLD government abandons mental health say nurses

Queensland nurses have raised serious concerns about the failure of the state budget to address mental health.

Queensland mental health professionals have slammed last week’s Queensland budget for failing to provide long term mental health funding.

Christine Palmer from the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses said the Queensland government had abandoned long term mental health planning and failed to address the state’s inadequate funding.

"Queensland will remain the lowest per capita amount spent on mental health compared to other states," she said in a statement.

Her views are supported by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, the Australian Psychological Society, Occupational Therapy Association and the Australian Association of Social Workers.

"Whilst we welcome the funding given to address the mental health consequences of the natural disasters, this does nothing to support mental health workforce planning for everyday mental health care.

“This short term plan will certainly drain the present mental health services of qualified mental health clinicians that are already in short supply," said Palmer.

"What this government is essentially doing is robbing Peter to pay Paul".

Dr Dan Siskind, QLD secretary of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said the budget measures were short-sighted.

"The non-recurrent nature of the funding announced in the budget is a major concern for the sector," said Siskind.