6 November 2013

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has welcomed the allocation of new mental health support workers to the Goulburn area.

Under the $5 million Commonwealth funded Partners in Recovery (PIR) program administered by Southern NSW Medicare Local, 1.6 staffing positions will be allocated to the Goulburn district to help people with a mental illness access community based services and support.

“The Goulburn community is crying out for a broader range of mental health care services and better coordination of existing services. Staff under the PIR program will be on hand to help people who, for one reason or another, cannot access services locally or where care coordination may have broken down,” said Mr Taylor.

“Partners in Recovery is a free service for people of any age who may be living with a serious or persistent mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar and need assistance with housing or family matters.They may have financial problems or need better health care.

“The PIR staff will connect people to recovery services and will work closely with local case managers and agency staff. I understand people can self refer, or be referred by someone else. There is no need for a referral from a medical practitioner.

“Launched last night in Goulburn, this is an important initiative to give the community confidence the new Coalition Government is taking steps to bolster mental health care services locally.

“I will be strongly supporting this program and I encourage any residents who think they may benefit from this service to contact Southern NSW PIR on 1800 006 841 or visit the website www.snswml.com.au/SouthernNSWPIR .”