$4 Billion Dental Spend on Children, Low Income Adults and the Bush

More than three million children will be eligible for government-subsidised dental care, in the same way they’re now entitled to Medicare-funded GP visits.

Under a landmark $4 billion package, the Gillard Labor Government will also provide dental services to more than one million low income adults and Australians in rural and remote areas, focusing especially on pensioners.

The Dental Health Reform package is an unprecedented initiative to address increasingly poor oral health amongst Australians – in particular, among low and middle income families.

The six-year package announced today includes:

$2.7 billion for around 3.4 million Australian children who will be eligible for subsidised dental care;
$1.3 billion for around 1.4 million additional services for adults on low incomes, including pensioners and concession card holders, and those with special needs; who will have better access to dental care in the public system; and
$225 million for dental capital and workforce will be provided to support expanded services for people living in outer metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas.

“While Medicare and free hospital care have been a basic right for Australians for decades, millions of people in this country still go without adequate dental care,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Labor believes we have a responsibility to ensure Australians who are least able to afford to go to the dentist, and particularly children, should be given access to government-subsidised oral health care.”

Ms Plibersek said recent studies showed children in the poorest areas experience one and a half times the amount of tooth decay and cavities, compared to those in the wealthiest areas.

“We also know that low income households have more than double the number of family members with untreated tooth decay compared with high income households.”

Ms Plibersek said the $4 billion package was in addition to the $515 million announced in the 2012-13 Budget, which included a blitz on public dental waiting lists, additional dental training and support for people in rural and remote areas.

“This package will deliver a better system of dental health care for Australians that is accessible, affordable and focuses on prevention.”

Children from the aged two to 17 in Family Tax Benefit Part A-eligible families will be entitled to subsidised basic dental treatment, capped at $1,000 per child over a two-year period. This $2.7 billion initiative aims to address dental decay in children, which has been increasing since the 1990s.

“Investment in our children’s teeth is an investment in the future,” said Ms Plibersek.

“We know that poor childhood oral health leads to poor adult oral health, and has wide-ranging impacts on general health and wellbeing, including strain on our health and hospital system.’’

As part of the package, the Gillard Government is providing $1.3 billion to states and territories under a National Partnership Agreement to expand public dental services for low income adults. This funding will depend on the states and territories at least maintaining their current level of dental care services.

And $225 million in funding for dental infrastructure in outer metropolitan, rural and regional areas will assist more Australians, regardless of their location, in gaining access to high quality dental care

The Dental Health Reform package will replace the Medicare Teen Dental Plan and the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS). The CDDS, introduced by the Howard Government, was poorly targeted, saw significant waste and over-servicing and failed to address the capacity constraints in existing public dental services.

Legislation to enshrine the new entitlement for children will be introduced, with passage expected this sitting session. The Dental Health Reform package is the result of detailed discussions between the Government and the Australian Greens.

New $7.5 Million Fellowship to Support Mental Health Research Open

27 August 2012

Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler today announced that the new John Cade Fellowship in Mental Health Research is open for applications.

“The new Fellowship will support up to two outstanding researchers with funding of $750,000 per annum for five years to drive innovative mental health research, especially in new and emerging areas,” Mr Butler said.

“The anticipated breakthrough approaches and treatments will benefit the one in five Australians who will suffer from mental illness at some stage in their lives.”

“The John Cade Fellowship forms part of the Australian Government’s $26.2 million strategic investment in mental health research.”

“We’ve recently announced funding for mental health Centres of Research Excellence and this new fellowship further underlines our focus on driving and entrenching reform with a strong program of mental health research.”

Australian researcher Dr John Cade discovered the use of lithium to successfully treat bipolar disorder – the first effective medication available to treat bipolar.

Now, more than 60 years later, the Gillard Government is seeking to support similarly transformative mental health research with a new fellowship that is named after Dr Cade.

National Health and Medical Research Council CEO Professor Warwick Anderson said the Fellowship will help expand leadership in our nation’s mental health research and strengthen Australia’s capacity to respond to the many challenges in this area.

“In particular, the Fellowship will focus on researchers who are able to contribute to the translation of discoveries into improved mental health outcomes,” Mr Anderson said.

Applications for the John Cade Fellowship will close on 17 October 2012. Successful John Cade Fellows are likely to be announced mid-2013.

For more information, visit National Health & Medical Research Council website http://www.nhmrc.gov.au

For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7280

Eating Disorders to be More Accurately Reported

The Australian media will now be armed with a quick reference guide to more accurately and sensitively report on eating disorders and mental illness.

Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler today launched the new Mindframe quick reference guide – developed in collaboration with eating disorder specialists and media professionals.

Mr Butler said the Mindframe National Media Initiative (Mindframe) provided a valuable opportunity to help break down the stigma surrounding eating disorders.

“We know that the incidence of eating disorders in Australia is on the rise, and tragically we also know that eating disorders have a higher mortality rate than any other mental illness.”

“The media greatly influences the portrayal of mental health issues in Australia and having fast and straightforward access to information about this mental illness will be a great asset,” Mr Butler said.

Mindframe is funded under Labor’s National Suicide Prevention Program and works to build a collaborative relationship with the Australian media and other sectors to encourage responsible, accurate and sensitive media representation of mental illness and suicide.

Mindframe Program Manager Jaelea Skehan said the resource provided a timely opportunity for the media to gain a better understanding of the mental illness.

“In consultations conducted earlier in 2012, eating disorders were identified by journalists as an area they would like further information and advice about.”

“With the establishment of the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) and Australia-wide work to increase literacy about eating disorders, this resource is very timely,” Ms Skehan said.

A recent critical review of media and mental illness commissioned by Mindframe, confirms that the media is a major source of information about mental illness, for both the wider community and members of the community living with a mental illness.

Mindframe resources are available online at the Mindframe website.

For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7280

Australian Medicare Local Alliance Launched

Joint Release
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Health

The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Minister for Social Inclusion
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform
16 August 2012

Australians can look forward to more effective and cohesive primary health care with the launch of a new national body to lead the network of Medicare Locals.

Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek and Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler today attended the launch of the Australian Medicare Local Alliance in Parliament House, Canberra.

Ms Plibersek said the Australian Medicare Local Alliance will play a key role in ensuring Medicare Locals function effectively and efficiently and work as a cohesive group, responsive to changing Government priorities.

“Medicare Locals will improve the coordination and integration of primary health care in local communities, addressing service gaps and making it easier for patients to navigate their local healthcare system,” she said

“As the body responsible for supporting Medicare Locals at the national level, the new Australian Medicare Local Alliance will assume a key leadership role in primary health care.”

Mr Butler said the Alliance will support Medicare Locals to become high performing organisations and, from 1 January next year, coordinate the provision of state-based functions on behalf of the Medicare Local network.

“The Alliance will play an important role in preventive health and health promotion, and will work with a wide set of stakeholders, including those in general practice, allied health, and the aged and social care sectors,” he said.

“The Australian Medical Local Alliance will play a vital role in ensuring the ‘big picture’ in primary health care across the country comes into focus and I look forward to working with the Alliance in building a better health system.”

Nationally, 61 Medicare Locals have been established to identify gaps in primary health care services at the local level, especially for high need and underserviced groups, and to better target services to respond to those gaps.

The Australian Government has committed a total of $493 million from 2010-11 to 2012-14 for the establishment and operation of Medicare Locals. It will also be the primary funder of the Australian Medicare Local Alliance.

Media enquiries:
Minister Plibersek’s Office 02 6277 7220
Minister Butler’s Office 02 6277 7280

Important Stage in Broome Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade

15 August 2012

Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek today welcomed the completion of the first stage of an upgrade to Broome Hospital’s Emergency Department – a significant milestone in the project that when completed will lead to people being seen by a doctor more quickly.

“The upgrade of the Emergency Department will increase the capacity of the emergency department and help reduce waiting times for patients,” said Ms Plibersek.

“This is important because we want to make sure that local patients can get the services that they need, when and where they need them.

“The Commonwealth Government has invested $16.9 million into Broome Hospital to:

expand the emergency department ($8.0 million);
build and staff six mental health beds ($4.4 million);
establish a high-dependency unit ($4.3 million); and
purchase equipment for the high-dependency unit ($200,000).

“The Commonwealth Government is delivering better health services to West Australian families by investing $352 million into hospitals,” she said.

Final Stage of the John Curtin School of Medical Research Opens

Joint Release

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Health

Andrew Leigh MP
Member for Fraser

Gai Brodtmann MP
Member for Canberra

13 August 2012

The Australian Government’s investment in health and medical research infrastructure will mean better health care for all Australians, Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek said today.

Ms Plibersek was represented by Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh, at the official opening of the third and final stage of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University in Canberra. Gai Brodtmann, Member for Canberra, also attended today.

“The Australian Government understands that if we are to build a better, and healthier, future for Australians, we need to make a considerable investment in health and medical research,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Under our $5 billion Health and Hospitals Fund we have set aside $700 million to build research infrastructure, including $60 million for the John Curtin School of Medical Research redevelopment project.”

The John Curtin School of Medical Research is Australia’s national medical research institute, with three Nobel Prize winners, including Sir John Eccles, to its credit.

Dr Leigh said the new facilities would only add to the school’s reputation for carrying out cutting edge research.

“As a former ANU academic, I know how important it is to make sure our best researchers have exceptional facilities.
 
“The third wing of the now completed John Curtin School of Medical Research will house, along with other laboratories and research suites, the Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, which will provide exceptional facilities for ANU neuroscientists researching such diverse areas as vision, blood pressure and epilepsy.”

Ms Brodtmann said that in addition to building infrastructure, the Australian Government also provides significant support for medical research activities.

“Our infrastructure investment is complemented by an ongoing commitment to significant investment in medical research – we have increased funding through the National Health and Medical Research Council from $715 million in 2010-11 to just over $746 million in 2011-12, an increase of 4.3 per cent,” she said.

“The Government is determined that Australia remains at the forefront of world class health and medical research.

“To ensure this happens, we have commissioned an independent strategic review of health and medical research, due to be presented by the end of this year, to help prepare a 10-year strategic health and medical research plan for the nation.”

Government Committed to Rural Training for Health Professionals

Rural and regional areas will continue to benefit from a commitment by the Federal Government to facilitating training for medical students and specialists in regional Australia.

“Through a range of funding programs the Government continues to provide funding for extensive new living accommodation for medical students across regional Australia and the upgrade and redevelopment of medical centres to provide the clinical space for them, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, said today.

Opening the National University Rural Health Conference in Creswick, near Ballarat in Victoria, Ms King said that for too long, medical specialist and student training has been primarily located in city-based hospitals.

“The Australian Government’s health reforms are now making possible new kinds of training for highly skilled medical people – in the areas where their skills are needed most, including rural areas in particular.

“Delivery of a high-quality, well-distributed health workforce is a priority for the Government.”

Ms King said the Government appreciated the role of the conference’s organisers, the National Rural Health Students Network, in supporting and representing medical, allied health and nursing students – and in promoting rural health careers.

“Fixing health workforce shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas, is a key priority. The Government is addressing this by recruiting, retaining and training more doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health workers,” she said.

The Australian Government was a major sponsor of the conference – investing $286,000 to bring together its 200 delegates from all parts of Australia.

The National Rural Health Students network is the peak body for more than 9,500 medical, nursing and allied health students interested in rural and remote health.

Its members come from Rural Health Clubs in 29 universities around Australia.

The clubs promote the benefits of undertaking rural practice – including rural high school visits to promote health courses, speaker nights, workshops, scholarship nights and social events.

Ms King also called on all health care professionals to familiarise themselves with the roles of Medicare Locals – the primary health organisations established to coordinate local and primary health care delivery for the benefit of patients.

“Rural areas will benefit strongly from the Medicare Locals, as they’ll work with general practice, allied health, community healthcare providers and Local Hospital Networks to ensure services are better tailored to meet the needs of local communities,” she said.

For more information, contact the Parliamentary Secretary’s office on 02 6277 4230

Students to Learn Mental Health Crisis Signs

Joint Release

The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Member for Grayndler

9 August 2012

The R U OK? Foundation is taking suicide prevention to the schoolyard, launching the new R U OK? at School program in Sydney today.

Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler today launched the program with Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese at Canterbury Boys High School to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Mr Butler said the program will help Australian teenagers better support each other in the schoolyard and in the community.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people so clearly we have to find ways to help teenagers talk about the issues affecting them before those issues escalate.”

In the past five years, an average of 2,100 Australians have died by suicide each year, accounting for more than one fifth of deaths in that age group and more than transport accidents during the same period.

Local MP Anthony Albanese said the program allows students to drive the conversation.

“Students and teachers from Canterbury Boys and other schools in Sydney helped design this program to reflect their needs and the issues they experience at school,” Mr Albanese said.

“It’s a program aimed at encouraging students to have open and frank conversations with each other which could ultimately save lives.

“We want to empower students to ask the question ‘are you ok?’ and also find the courage to say ‘I’m not ok’, which is often the toughest step.”

The R U OK? at School program, developed in partnership with online youth mental health initiative ReachOut.com, was successfully piloted in 2011.

The dedicated schools-based program will deliver relevant educational support to both students and teachers on topics including peer support and how to manage school pressures.

For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7280

Minister welcomes How Australia is faring report

The Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler, was in Brisbane today for the launch of the Australian Social Inclusion Board’s 2012 How Australia is faring report.

Mr Butler said the report told a compelling story about our progress as a nation.

“Our economy continues to defy international trends and outperform other advanced economies with solid growth and low unemployment, yet 640,000 Australians still face complex and multiple levels of disadvantage each year.

“With a strong economy comes the opportunity to ensure all Australians are able to share in our nation’s wealth.”

Mr Butler said the report makes clear the Government’s commitment to addressing disadvantage is having a positive impact.

“It shows that Australians are doing well in a number of areas with more Australians finishing school, older people being employed at higher rates than ever before, high and increasing life expectancy,” Mr Butler said.

But while Australia has made good progress in many areas, the report also reminds us that our continued prosperity is reliant on everyone who can participate in society having the resources and opportunity to do so.

“For the approximately 5% of Australians, some 640,000 people, facing severe levels of disadvantage, we need to do more,” Mr Butler said.

“In the last few years we have made substantial investments in mental health reform, reducing homelessness and we have looked to change the way we deliver services to citizens in our most disadvantaged communities.”

“This Government is committed to making a real difference in people’s lives with reforms like the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the National Broadband Network.”

“How Australia is faring will help guide our continued investment as a nation in areas including health and disability, employment, reducing financial stress, education, access to services, housing, public safety, and community engagement.”

“I would like to thank the Board, under the stewardship of its immediate past Chair, Patricia Faulkner, for their work in developing this important report.”

How Australia is faring and associated fact sheets are available at: www.socialinclusion.gov.au

For more information, contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7280

Patients Beware: Drug Companies Increase Prices for Some Brands of Medicines

Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, today urged patients to shop around for their brand of medicine following price increases imposed by pharmaceutical companies on 85 brands of medicines listed on the PBS.

The brands of medicines, most of which were reduced in price in April following the Government’s reforms to the PBS, have had their cost to consumers increase by up to $7.04 due to the pharmaceutical companies increasing a brand surcharge from August 1st.

“There is always another brand of the same medicine on the PBS which does not have a surcharge imposed on it, so patients can avoid being slugged by these increases, which are paid to the pharmaceutical company, by shopping around,” said Ms Plibersek.

“The cost of the medicine without the brand premium will be no more than the PBS co-payment of $5.80 for concessional patients and up to $35.40 for general patients.

“The alternative brand provides the exactly same health benefit as the more expensive brand for which the pharmaceutical company has decided to charge the consumer more.

“Patients should always ask their Pharmacist when their script is being dispensed whether there is a less costly brand of their medicine available. Pharmacists are paid an incentive by the Government to help the consumer choose a less expensive brand.

“A list of the brands of medicines on the PBS that have increased their cost to consumers on 1 August 2012, accompanied with a list of less expensive brands of the same medicines will be posted on the internet at www.pbs.gov.au

“Consumers can see from the list how much money they will save by not choosing a brand of their medicine with a brand premium each time they have their script dispensed.

“Consumers can be confident that different brands are just as effective, and that cheaper medicines work just as well. They should think twice about paying extra for the box and the brand name,” said Ms Plibersek.

Also on 1 August, two brands of cyclosporin (used as an anti-inflammatory and for skin diseases) have had their brand premium removed.

Additionally, some medicines such as escitalopram (used for depression), amisulpride (used for mental illness) and meloxicam (used for arthritis) will be less expensive for non-concessional consumers by as much as $5.39, as part of the continued reforms to the PBS.

Details of all medicines available on the PBS, including premium free brand medicines, are available on the PBS website.

The NPS also provides further information for consumers, prescribers and pharmacists on how you can safely switch your brand of medicine at http://www.nps.org.au/bemedicinewise/brand_choices