Meander Valley Council may seek support in reinstating lost health services from the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
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A notice of motion, to be considered by the council on Tuesday, listed recommendations by Councillor Bob Richardson which included requesting support from the Local Government Association of Tasmania to reinstate lost programs.
The notice of motion report said it was not clear whether new mental health services tendered by Primary Health Tasmania would address the lost services.
If the motion passes, LGAT will consider Meander Valley’s motion at its general meeting in February.
The Meander Valley lost a youth worker, mental health worker and a social worker at the Westbury Community Health Centre due to federal government changes to rural health.
The changes came into effect from January 1, as PHT implemented a new federally-funded rural health program focused on chronic disease, following a tender process.
Under the rural health program changes, Meander Valley will be serviced by Diabetes Tasmania.
A PHT spokeswoman said they “did not receive any tenders that involved funding a youth worker, mental health worker or social worker to address chronic health conditions in the Meander Valley municipality”.
“PHT cannot commission preventive health services under the new rural primary health funding program, except where they relate to people with or at risk of chronic conditions,” she said.
“PHT is happy to meet with representatives of the Meander Valley Council to answer any questions it may have about the tender process and its outcomes.”
The PHT spokeswoman said rural service providers may be eligible to apply for services PHT is commissioning services in, including mental health.
Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins said the motion served as a reminder regarding the council and community’s disappointment.
Cr Perkins said the loss of the three positions would impact services delivered through community organisations.
He said the council would continue to pursue reinstatement of the programs through avenues including contacting the federal government. He said LGAT support could help raise awareness about the process, and ensure it “doesn’t happen again”.
