Rural patients will benefit from new infrastructure grants

Rural patients will benefit from new infrastructure grants to 50 projects across Australia, Health Minister Tanya Plibersek announced today.

Under Round 6 of the National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program, $8.7 million is being directed to the projects.

“While rates of some chronic disease are high for patients living in rural and remote areas, they often find it harder to access the level of health care they require,” said Ms Plibersek.

“That is why the Gillard Government is committed to setting up new rural health services or the improvement of existing facilities.”

According to the National Strategic Framework for Rural and Remote Health, rural areas have higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity as well as poor dental, antenatal and post-natal health.

Ms Plibersek said by providing essential health infrastructure, either as capital works or as equipment, the program made it easier for patients to get care when and where they needed it.

Examples of some of the grants are:

• $500,000 for Tilligerry Medical Practice, Tanilba Bay, NSW, for relocation.
• $328,198 for Optometry at Cooroy, Cooroy, QLD, for optometry equipment.
• $453,550 for Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Echuca, VIC, to renovate clinic.
• $274,276 for Robe Dental, Robe, SA, to refurbish practice.
• $395,000 for Hermitage Dental Kempsey, NSW, to expand services.
• $250,000 for Physikal Health Services, QLD, for mobile physiotherapy capacity.

The National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program also funds strategic service planning for small rural private hospitals.

Funding is recommended by the independent National Assessment Panel.

For more information please contact the minister’s office on 02 6277 7220

Expert warns against child mental health checks

Professor Allen Frances

One of the most influential psychiatrists in the United States says the Federal Government's program to screen three-year-olds for mental health problems is "ridiculous" and potentially dangerous.

By Eleanor Hall -  ABC Radio

Australian preschoolers are set to be screened for early signs of mental illness as part of the Government-funded Healthy Kids Check, which would be voluntary for families.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) supports the initiative but says the evaluations must focus on broad-based problems rather than individual things like fear of the dark or fear of monsters.

The Healthy Kids Check will be predominately conducted by GPs who will refer children with troubling behaviour to psychologists and paediatricians.

The program will cost $11 million over five years and is expected to identify about 27,000 children who would benefit from extra support.

But Professor Allen Frances, an Emeritus Professor at the Duke University, has raised concerns about the scheme... more