The NSW Mental Health Commission and Strategic Plan John Feneley NSW Mental Health Commissioner
NSW Mental Health Commission • July 2012 – Established as a statutory body • August 2012 – NSW Mental Health Commissioner, John Feneley, appointed • Based in Gladesville, Sydney at former mental health hospital site • At least one Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner must be a person who has or has had experience of mental illness
Deputy Commissioners Appointed March 2013 Dr Robyn Shields Bradley Foxlewin Fay Jackson
Community Advisory Council • Appointment of the Community Advisory Council in March 2013 • The Advisory Council consists of the Commissioner and twelve other members and is representative of the diversity of NSW community • Its function is to advise the Commission on any mental health issue it considers appropriate or that is referred to it by the Commission
Mental Health Commission Act • Outlines the composition, objectives and functions of the Commission • Primary objective is to monitor, review and improve the mental health system and the mental health and well-being of the people of NSW
Functions • Prepare a draft strategic plan for the mental health system in NSW for submission to the Minister for approval • Monitor and report on Strategic Plan for Mental Health in NSW • Review, evaluate, report and advise on services and programs • Promote and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas • Research, innovation and policy development • Advocate and promote - prevention and early intervention strategies • Advocate and promote - general health and wellbeing of people who have a mental illness and their families and carers • Community education and stigma reduction
Considerations • Focus on systemic issues • Take into account co-morbid issues such as drugs, alcohol and disabilities • The interaction between mental health and the criminal justice system • Consult with whole of government and whole of community including families and carers • Be representative and inclusive of NSW diversity including regional and remote communities
Mental Health Commission of NSW • The Commission does not o provide services o Control funds or other resources related to services o Develop policy on behalf of Health or any other government agency o Investigate complaints or advocate on an individual basis
The journey to develop a NSW strategic plan for mental health
Living Well: Putting people at the centre of mental health reform in NSW: A Report Released 14 October 2014 • Shows an inclusive, authentic portrait of how our present system applies in practice • Presents an emotional case for a new generation of mental health reform in NSW • Tells the story of mental health in NSW from the perspective of people who live there. Available at: nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au
Living Well: A Strategic Plan for Mental Health in NSW 2014 - 2024 Released 15 December 2014 • Aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our community • Lays out directions and principles for reform Available at: nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au
A commitment to reform “The NSW Government today committed to a once-in-a-generation overhaul of mental health care service delivery... The Government has accepted all actions outlined in the Commission’s Plan.” NSW Premier Mike Baird, 15 December 2014
‘Once in a Generation’ The NSW Government has accepted the actions outlined in the Commission's plan, which includes: • Strengthening prevention and early intervention - with a stronger focus on services for children and young people; • A greater focus on community based care - including a phased transition of long-stay psychiatric hospital patients into community care and providing more community based services; • Developing a more responsive system - through improved specialist services for people with complex needs such as personality disorders; • Working together to deliver person-centred care - including better integration between mental health services, mainstream health, justice and human services, and Commonwealth funded services; and, • Building a better system – including by developing the mental health workforce, increasing NGO capacity to deliver services for government.
The Strategic Plan and the National Review • The centrality of lived experience • The inclusion of these voices in policy development • Building community based services • View of the mental health system as fragmented, inefficient and difficult to navigate
Opportunities and Risks • Commitment to deinstitutionalisation and impact on related services • Federal/State planning in response to National Commission report • Federal/State Funding and the NDIS • Primary Health Networks • Service mapping • Raised expectations in the sector and the public - Ready to act/Ready to be disappointed (again)
The role of the Commission • The Commission is required to monitor and report on the implementation of the Strategic Plan • Identifying meaningful performance indicators and reporting to the NSW Government, Parliament, and the community • Encourage reforms
Thank you
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