Healthwise, It's Pretty Crook Score 6/10

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday May 10, 2006

By JENNY DENNIS

GP-LED team care was the way of the future for health, said Dr Rene Dostal, chairman of the Illawarra Division of General Practice.

He was particularly pleased about increased spending announced for mental health care and medical research.

"The increase in funding in mental health care, particularly in the upskilling of doctors and nurses, more mental health nurse places and respite care will surely reduce the burden on the community of mental illness, which is significant," said Dr Dostal.

The increased spending would be welcomed by GPs, but it appeared to be the only area of health that was to benefit from this year's budget.

"Increased spending on research is good news too, and necessary."

He said organisations like the Illawarra Division of General Practice and the University of Wollongong would be able to use that increase to investigate improvements in health care.

"The Budget seems to be quite strong in these two areas, but in terms of health, generally it's disappointing," Dr Dostal said.

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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