The Productivity Commission is calling for a “rigorous evaluation” of the Better Access scheme, saying it remains unclear whether higher MBS rebates for GPs are benefiting patients.

Its interim report on Australia’s over-stressed mental health system, goes on to claim that many patients are failing to access psychological therapy because of the “time, cost and effort” involved; while many others are being given “more intensive treatment than their condition necessitates”.

“It is not clear that the Mental Health Treatment Plans and the review are working as well as they could to encourage best-practice care,”  the draft report states.

“Or that they are providing sufficient benefit to consumers to justify the higher MBS rebates [compared with standard consultations].”