Economy
Child and adolescent health workers reach crisis point …
*Pic: HACSU protest on Parliament House lawns
DESPITE CLAIMS OF INCREASED FUNDING, THE STATE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO CHRONICALLY UNDERFUND AND SHORTSTAFF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
Despite a State Government promise to increase resources for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), programs, outreach and community-based services continue to be severely understaffed and inadequately resourced.
“Minister Ferguson promised that he would take action to resolve understaffing and underfunding in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services”, said HACSU Lead Organiser Joanne McEvoy.
“In response to the government’s woeful inaction, industrial action will ramp up from today in the Southern Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
“Workers are desperate to stop unsustainable workloads that place both clients and workers at risk.
Earlier this year there was a renewed focus on the mental health needs of young Tasmanians, in response to a coronial inquiry into a spate of suicides.
“There was a promise of $600,000 for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in the May Budget. To date that money has not been received or created even one new job. And the sad fact is, $600,000 is not enough. That funding would still leave Tasmania with the lowest per-capita funding of all of the states.
“The fact is the Government are sitting on their hands while mental health services collapse.
“The risks to clients whose mental health needs cannot be met, and the damage to the professional integrity of workers are unacceptable.
“Health Professionals in two fixed term positions concluded their contracts, and these positions have not been renewed.
“Of the much trumpeted 2 new positions announced by the Minister in March, only one position has been advertised, neither being filled.
“In addition, a position vacated in March has taken months to fill only being announced this week that an appointment has been made after industrial action was again put on the table.
“Caseloads have been at unsustainable levels for years, but staff have now reached crisis point.
“Members will continue industrial action in order to have a full complement of staff, to reduce caseloads to a manageable level and to secure increase funding.
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