January 2012 News

As part of the ongoing reform of Queensland Health, premier Anna Bligh announced yesterday (January 30) that a new body will be established to address mental health in the state.

The premier received a report from the Queensland Mental Health Commission Advisory Committee, outlining 14 key recommendations.

"The recommendations have been developed with input from people living with mental illness, and from service providers, clinicians, families and carers in all parts of Queensland," Ms Bligh asserted.

One in three Australians without ambulance cover would not call for emergency assistance if they thought they were having a heart attack, according to a new survey.

Results of a National Heart Foundation of Australia study indicated that while 84 per cent of those in Queensland and Tasmania would call for an ambulance in the situation, only 67 per cent of those in other states would contact 000.

The reason for the difference was access to universal ambulance cover, which Queensland and Tasmania offer.

The union representing Queensland's health workers believes that the state government is rushing to abolish the department.

The re-structuring - announced by premier Anna Bligh on January 21 - will see the creation of two smaller agencies as well as health and hospital networks at both a local and state level.

However secretary for the Together health union Alex Scott believes that the change is being rushed through without careful consideration.

As federal parliament prepares for its first sitting of 2012, health minister Tanya Plibersek has hinted at what the new year might have in store for the health of Australians.

Speaking to a local News Limited publication, Ms Plibersek claimed the distribution of funding will be one of the first challenges she faces in the new job.