Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Melton health services

Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (19:17): (320) The adjournment I wish to raise is for the Minister for Mental Health. The action I seek is for the minister to meet with the mental health staff of the Melton Community Services and Melton Health Hub to discuss the valuable services that they provide for the local community. On that note, I should mention that the member for Melton and I had the privilege of attending a meeting of HACSU – Health and Community Services Union – members the other week at this facility, and it was just great to get a real insight into what they do.

But I go back to my question and to my adjournment. It has been more than two years since the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. I am proud that the Andrews government have embarked on the biggest reform of the mental health system in our nation’s history, including the single largest investment in mental health in Victoria’s history, so that we can deliver on every single recommendation from the royal commission. With work now underway on more than 90 per cent of the royal commission’s recommendations, we are not wasting a minute, building a system that works for every Victorian to receive care as soon as they need it, no matter where they live.

That is why we are hiring thousands of new nurses and mental health support staff and opening new mental health services. It is also why we are delivering more mental health beds to alleviate pressure on our emergency departments, freeing up these doctors and nurses to care for other patients whilst ensuring acutely ill Victorians receive immediate and specialised treatment. Whether it is walk-ins, community-based care or acute hospital treatment, we are making treatment more accessible for all Victorians. I want to thank the minister for the work that is being done to rebuild the mental health system. I am particularly proud that there is widespread recognition that this workforce is the most valuable asset of our mental health system, and that is why we have committed to doubling our workforce by 2031.