Wellways to provide new services through Medicare in QLD and NSW

Wellways is delighted to confirm that adult mental health services will soon become available to new communities in New South Wales and Queensland through Medicare Mental Health Centres.

Wellways has been announced to lead four new Medicare Mental Health Centre locations in Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Gladstone, and Bundaberg, and to be a partner for equivalent services in Dubbo and Bathurst.

Chief Executive Laura Collister expressed her excitement about the opportunity for Wellways to, yet again, be at the forefront of mental health reform.

“Together with our partners, we are looking forward to setting up these multi-disciplinary services, bringing together clinical and community mental health services that are guided by lived experience, " Ms Collister said.

Funded by Country to Coast QLD, through the Australian Government’s PHN Program, the new service locations were announced in Rockhampton by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon Emma McBride MP, who highlighted that these new centres will be safe and welcoming.

“The new Rockhampton Medicare Mental Health Centre will give Central Queenslanders free, walk-in mental health support and care close to home”, Ms McBride said.

In their May Budget, the federal government shared the information that established Head to Health services will be renamed to Medicare Mental Health Centres. While the name changes, the service delivery model will remain the same. Wellways CEO Laura Collister describes it as an integrated network of mental health and wellbeing services across all locations.

‘Working with our health partner, Clarity Health Care, we look forward to developing strong and trusted relationships across all regions to deliver a personal and valued service experience to support individuals experiencing challenges to their social and emotional wellbeing”, said Ms Collister.

Clarity Health Care Chief Executive Davis Lemke highlights the successful partnership his organisation already has with Wellways, which delivers support for carers in the region through Wellways Carer Gateway.

“Our organisations are aligned with our vision and values and this shared vision will allow us to effectively establish this vital multi-disciplinary service to meet the needs of these communities”, Mr Lemke said.

In addition to the Wellways-led Medicare Mental Health Centre locations in Queensland, the Western NSW Primary Health Network simultaneously announced that Stride Mental Health will lead two new locations in Dubbo and Bathurst, where both Wellways and Clarity Health Care will partner with Stride to make those new services available to the community.