Govt launches review of GP referrals under the Better Access scheme
It follows claims by the Productivity Commission two years ago that evidence the scheme had benefited patients was limited
The Federal Government will review whether GP referrals under the Better Access scheme are necessary, with a leading mental health academic declaring it is time for a major overhaul.
Established more than 15 years ago, Better Access is a major funding stream for GP mental health care, with 1.3 million Mental Health Treatment Plans being drawn up each year.
But the Department of Health says it want to look at whether patients are benefiting from the referral process and receiving appropriate psychological treatment as a result.
Professor Ian Hickie, co-director of the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney, will be a member of the review’s clinical advisory panel.
