Response to The Provision of Primary, Allied and Private Health Care, Aged Care and NDIS Care Services and its Impact on the Queensland Public Health System

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Inquiry into the provision of primary, allied and private health care, aged care and NDIS care services and its impact on the Queensland public health system. We consider the current consultation timely in terms of the growing demand for services across the care sector, increasing concerns about labour shortages, and the need to ensure the quality and safety of service provision – as evidenced in a number of recent Royal Commissions and Government inquiries across Australia.

The combined effects of the devastating 2020 bushfire season, impacts of climate change, as well as the multiplicitous effects of the global COVID-2019 pandemic, and associated restrictions, have led to an increase in the need for mental health support. The demand for mental health services has markedly increased since 2020, yet the psychological workforce has not grown to meet this demand. This has resulted in long waiting periods to access psychological services and patients turning to less appropriate services (e.g. emergency services) as there are no other viable alternatives.

We have called upon the Federal Government to address a number of barriers to the provision of high-quality mental health care for all Australians. We are aware of the current issues facing the states and territories, and in this case, Queensland in particular.

View submission