Earlier this year, HSU members working in outpatient and community mental health made a submission to the Inquiry into the equity, accessibility and appropriate delivery of outpatient and community mental health care in NSW. This included HSU delegates from Allied Health presenting in-person to the inquiry.

The HSU submission provided galling information on the crisis state of mental health services in NSW, including unsustainable workloads, attraction and retention issues and underutilisation of Allied Health members working to top of scope.

The final report and Government response is now available and makes several important recommendations which align with the HSU’s requests for immediate action to address the workforce crisis in Mental Health. Of particular note are:

• Recommendation 10: That NSW Government immediately increase pay for NSW public mental health clinicians including staff specialists, junior doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to at a minimum on par with other states and territories, with consideration given to the number of staff lost to the private sector. Changes to pay grades for staff working in community mental health services should also take into account the level of expertise, further training, independent practice and risk associated with a role.
• Government response: Noted.
• Recommendation 11: That NSW Health increase resourcing for formal clinical supervision for all clinicians providing mental health care in NSW Health, as well as General Practitioners with a high case load of mental health patients.
• Government response: Noted.

The complete Government response can be accessed here.

It is incredibly disappointing that the Government has failed to positively act on these key recommendations which highlight the damage which poor pay and conditions comparative to other states and sectors is causing.

More than ever, this highlights the crucial need for HSU members to drive real Award reform which will address the attraction and retention crisis.

Now is the time to get involved and have your say. Please email [E-Mail not displayed] if you are ready to help make these recommendations a reality.