Better Care Together plan providing more mental healthcare for Queenslanders

• The Miles Government’s more than $1.9 billion Better Care Together plan continues to deliver positive mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.
• Funded by the mental health levy, initiatives continue to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug services, as well as suicide prevention outcomes.  
• Since it began in 2022, Better Care Together has funded an additional 628 frontline workers and supported the establishment of 45 new beds across the state.

The Miles Government’s landmark Better Care Together plan has achieved significant progress in its second year, including the delivery of 628 additional frontline workers and 45 new beds across the state. 

Since its establishment in 2022, the mental health levy has boosted funding for initiatives by an additional $303 million, bringing the total allocation to $1.948 billion over five years.

This is supporting the expansion of several services, including new mother and baby beds for perinatal mental health care, a new Crisis Stabilisation Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital, and a dedicated Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Cairns.

In 2023-24, an additional $227.8 million was invested across priority areas, including $48.6 million for adults and older people, $32.8 million for children, adolescents, and young people, and $14.2 million for new parents and infants.

Some of the key achievements in the past year include:

• Expansion of perinatal services: Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness’s peer-led services for new parents and infants have been expanded, along with additional perinatal and infant mental health clinicians in seven Hospital and Health Services.
• New services and beds: Eight new beds have been established in Hervey Bay’s mental health acute inpatient unit, which now has 22 beds.

Two new eating disorder specialist services have been established in Metro South and Darling Downs/West Moreton regions, along with expansions to the mental health community support program and other existing psychosocial support programs.

• First Nations support: A new mental health integrated service has been established to provide high quality specialist mental health, alcohol and other drugs treatment and care for First Nations children, adolescents and young people and their families.
• Lived Experience workforce: Increased investment for non-government organisations to expand peer workforce who utilise their own lived experience and understanding to improve support for people with mental health challenges.
• Crisis Support Spaces: Four new Crisis Support Spaces have been established in hospitals in Bundaberg, Logan, Redlands, and Sunshine Coast, providing specialist support for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Suicide aftercare: The expansion of Universal Suicide Aftercare and clinical coordinator positions across Queensland has improved access to community psychosocial support services for people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

The Better Care Together Annual Progress Update for 2023-2024, including a full list of initiatives and highlights, is available here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman: 

“No government is more committed to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders than the Miles Labor Government.

“We know that mental health is one of the number one health issues facing Queenslanders around the state.

“It’s why we continue to use our Mental Health Levy on big business to invest in the crucial mental health programs we know Queenslanders need.

“The LNP have consistently attacked the mental health levy that funds critical mental health services across the state.

“Last time the LNP were in government they sacked 4,400 frontline health workers, including 1,800 nurses, and if given the chance the LNP would cut the mental health levy and the critical services it provides.

“I want to thank the incredible organisations we’ve partnered with that has allowed us to reach even more Queenslanders around the state.

“As Minister for Mental Health, I’m incredibly proud to see the positive impact this plan is having on our communities.“We know there is still more to do – but we won’t step investing to ensure we have the mental health workforce, beds, and programs we need to ensure all Queenslanders can live happy and healthy lives.

ENDS Media contact – healthmedia@ministerial.qld.gov.au