SANE Australia has revealed data that shows that nearly 90% of patients with mental illness also suffer from chronic ailments like diabetes, heart disease etc.
Following this the Government has been urged to bring on a Medicare Benefits Scheme item number that can promote regular health check ups of these patients by GPs.
Similar items are in place already for marginalized groups like indigenous Australians. The Mental Health Council of Australia last week said that quite a few mental health groups have written to the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to bring on more funds for mental health in the federal budget.
Barbara Hocking, chief executive of SANE Australia said, many of the mentally ill have missed out on regular checks and thus signs of chronic diseases have not been detected in time. She feels that physical healthcare and mental healthcare are “two sides of the same coin”. “We need a Medicare Benefits Scheme item for physical health checks for people affected by mental illness, so that monitoring and promotion of their physical health becomes standard treatment,” she said.
Gerry Naughtin, chief executive of Mind Australia echoed these words and said that primary care for these patients can improve their quality of life. “Mentally ill people often have significant lower life expectancy and higher rates of obesity and diabetes than the general population…GPs are a critical element in a broader approach to tackling these issues,” he added. However Michael Nolan, director of Bayside General Practice Network in Melbourne believes otherwise. “There are too many item numbers already,” Dr Nolan said.
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