The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging the Tasmanian Government to urgently secure the future of perinatal and infant mental health services in the state's north.
It comes following deputy RACGP Tasmania chair, Dr Tim Jones, writing to Health Minister, The Hon. Jacqui Petrusma MP, concerning the imminent end of funding for the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service in North and North West Tasmania.
Dr Tim Jones said that urgent action was needed.
"We're calling on the Tasmanian Government to ensure these services remain up and running to give families the certainty they need that care and support will be available," he said.
"Staff at these services have the heartbreaking job of telling pregnant mums and new mums that they can't guarantee care after 20 June this year.
"It was welcome news to see the Federal Government establish 12 new Perinatal Mental Health Centres, including one in Hobart; however, northern Tasmanian families must be a priority too. So, I've written to the Tasmanian Health Minister, asking her to engage with the Commonwealth to secure continued funding, review potential options for state-level funding so that no patient's care is ever disrupted, and convene a meeting to discuss a sustainable, long-term strategy for perinatal and infant mental healthcare in the region."
The deputy RACGP Tasmania chair said that this must be a priority.
"Ask any family and they will tell you that the perinatal period is a time of great adjustment for women and their partners," he said.
"Being a new mum is one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences life can offer; however, it can also be a very stressful and daunting time, and it's vital that these families have access to the care they need.
"The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service is delivered by the Tasmanian Health Service, but they have been federally funded in recognition of their critical role in addressing severe mental health concerns during pregnancy and postpartum.
"The current situation is causing tremendous distress for staff working at these services, and for pregnant mums and those with young infants. This isn't acceptable, and we will keep fighting for families across northern Tasmania."
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