Wheatbelt Health Network stops mental health services

Services run by the Wheatbelt Health Network would now be run by Amity Health that has been chosen to deliver the services by WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) that oversees all State services in the primary health care space.

Wheatbelt Health Network chief executive officer Harry Randhawa said the not-for-profit organisation had completely stopped its mental health services due to the funding cut, which they had offered to the Wheatbelt for more than 10 years.

He said the organisation relied on grants because they bulk billed most clients. 

“We are not happy with funding decisions,” Mr Randhawa said.

“All of our staff that were doing mental health have gone to other jobs. 

“We have been through the process of telling them we couldn't get any money.”

A total of 12 staff were made redundant through this process.

Wheatbelt Health Network board chairman David Singe said one staff member now had a job with Amity Health and all other former staff members had new jobs. 

Mr Randhawa said funding cuts were also made to allied health and Aboriginal health.

WAPHA general manager Linda Richardson said the funding body invited organisations to make submissions to provide health services in the Wheatbelt.

“In these submissions health care providers were required to demonstrate their willingness to provide quality comprehensive and appropriate services for people in the Wheatbelt region,” she said.

Ms Richardson said Wheatbelt Health Network and Amity Health were appointed to deliver chronic disease care and integrated team care in the Wheatbelt and Amity Health was the sole receiver of mental health funding. 

Amity Health chief executive officer Robin Surridge said the organisations' main office is in the Great Southern but they are in the process of establishing offices in Northam, Narrogin and Merredin.

“We already have people in Narrogin and Northam,” she said. 

“We are pleased that our appointment in the Wheatbelt will enable us to provide support to more people, wherever they live in the region.

“Our focus will be on providing early intervention and access to a greater range of mental health care options to support GPs to achieve better results for their patients.”