Using the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework to support an integrated approach to regional mental health planning in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Regional integrated service planning has been identified as a key priority for improving the mental health system in Australia. The National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF) is an integrated planning tool that estimates the resources required to deliver the optimal mix of mental health services to a population. In 2016, Queensland Health commissioned a trial application of the NMHSPF for joint mental health planning between a Primary Health Network (PHN) and the corresponding state Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) in a regional area. The aim of this work was to collaborate with stakeholders from each organisation to collect available data on the delivery and resources of existing mental health services in the region and compare these to NMHSPF estimates to identify potential priority areas for planning. This paper provides mental health planners with an exemplar model for using the NMHSPF to support integrated planning at the regional level and describes the barriers, facilitators and key outcomes of this work.