A new plan to improve access to mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and other drug treatment services has been developed for the Darling Downs and West Moreton region.

Developed by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, Darling Downs Health and West Moreton Health, the plan looks at practical solutions to provide more coordinated high-quality care.

The joint Regional Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Plan was officially launched in Ipswich on Friday, 21 February 2020 attended by mental health, suicide prevention and health representatives from across the region.

The plan aims to integrate care across the health system to improve services for consumers, carers and families impacted by a mental health, alcohol and other drug use, and suicide. It also aims to reduce stigma for people accessing the care they need.

“The PHN is committed to collaborating with Darling Downs Health and West Moreton Health to ensure that all people living with a mental health condition and alcohol and other drug use in our region can access effective and appropriate treatment,” Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN Chief Executive Officer Merrilyn Strohfeldt said.

“The Plan will lay the foundation for future coordination and integration of care for people in the region ensuring we work together to reduce stigma and increase accessibility to care,” Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Dr Peter Gillies said.

West Moreton Health Chief Executive Dr Kerrie Freeman said consulting with people directly impacted by these health issues, as well as partnering with providers across all disciplines, was key to improving care.

“To make a difference for people living in our region, and to ensure the people that need it most have access to services, we need to collaborate and take a whole of system approach,” she said.

More than 100 representatives from a wide range of organisations across the region participated in consultations and workshops to identify key issues and develop priorities in the plan.

The Queensland Health, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Branch (MHAOD), Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (QNADA), and the Queensland Mental Health Alliance also contributed to the development of the Plan.

A full copy of the Plan can be viewed at www.ddwmphn.com.au/our-publications