Mental Health Services

In reply to Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (26 July 2019). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing): I have been advised:

1. A letter from the Department for Health and Wellbeing in January 2019 advised that all state-funded mental health programs will continue until 30 June 2020, with an option to extend a further 12 months or part thereof. The letter advised that a contractual clause will be included to enable contracts to be varied in accordance with the funding for those clients that transition to the NDIS. Since then, a letter from the Chief Psychiatrist on 23 May 2019 and the Chief Executive, Department for Health and Wellbeing, on 12 June 2019, advised that existing clients who may be NDIS eligible will continue to receive SA Health funding until their NDIS application is approved and their plan is activated.

2. I refer to the answer above.

3. The proportion of funding transferred to the NDIS will reflect the proportion of clients who transfer to the NDIS from the eligible programs.

4. All non-government organisations affected by the transfer of funding to the NDIS from 2019-20 have been notified. There are no plans to transfer other mental health program funding at this stage outside of this scope.