Mental health programs in firing line [Video]

Mental health programs are being hit with redundancies and hiring freezes as hospitals search for savings to bring them in line with budgets proposed by the Allan government.

Health services across the state are looking for savings to meet model budgets put forward by the Department of Health, as the government tries to bring spending under control due to rising state debt.

As part of separate funding discussions, mental health programs have also been reviewed.

In a letter seen by The Age outlining expected changes, the Royal Children’s Hospital is proposing to make six programs and teams redundant in its mental health department, including a team focused on early intervention for children and adolescents with behavioural challenges.

The proposed redundancies, expected to affect up to 15 staff …