A new mental health program in Melbourne’s north will do nothing to salvage services lost when Dianella and Merri Community Health cease their state government contracts, it has been claimed.
As reported last week, the privatisation of mental health services, which the Victorian government has advertised for commercial tender, has resulted in both community health providers in the north losing long-standing service contracts.
Both Dianella and Merri Community Health are being cited as part of a consortium of 16 clinical and community-based service providers set to deliver the new Partners in Recovery program.
But Dianella chief executive Veronica Jamison said her organisation would not benefit from the partnership set up by Northern Melbourne Medicare Local. Mind Australia, Neami National and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service would be the lead agencies, she said.
Ms Jamison confirmed Dianella would not be able to save its current mental health services.
