Media Releases

Today’s announcement of major changes to the way we fund and administer hospitals shows that the Rudd Government is committed to reforming the health system, however, hospital reform is only one part of the health system reform Australia desperately needs. “Fixing hospitals is very important. Fixing the systems that feed into hospitals and leave people marooned with no other options is also critical”, said David Crosbie, MHCA CEO .

The Mental Health Council of Australia has welcomed the appointment of Professor Pat McGorry as Australian of the Year for 2010. Professor McGorry is not only a highly respected leader within the mental health sector, he is someone who has changed the way we respond to youth mental health in Australia and internationally.

More acute mental health beds and more doctors is not the answer to Australia’s mental health needs – it is more community-based beds which will improve mental health outcomes, according to David Crosbie, CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia. “We have a desperate shortage of community-based residential treatment options for people with a mental illness“, Mr Crosbie said.