5. Focus on implementation processes, impacts to date and pros and cons of the sustainability of the Australian Mental Health model

The Australian National Mental Health Service Planning Framework (NMHSPF) arose from a joint national and all state/territory government commitment to establish consistent targets for the required mix and level of mental health services. It complements but is separate from the national drug and alcohol service planning model.

The NMHSPF has been refined over a decade with emerging data, clinical and lived experience expertise, and ongoing feedback from users, i.e. government and local health organisation planners. Significant government investment and engagement with model development has supported its embedding in national policy, iterative model enhancements, and ongoing user support.

The NMHSPF is a useful tool synthesising evidence and providing a common framework to support integrated planning across multiple service funders. Its application varies from specific service questions to whole-of-system planning. To apply the NMHSPF, planners need capacity to understand it, their data and services to adapt the national model for local context. Despite available training, documentation and a help desk, many organisations have limited time or expertise to engage in this structured planning and want further support. Common application issues include the need for longer-term systems thinking; identifying responsibility for service gaps; and developing workforce and service capacity for reform. The NMHSPF’s complexity and ability to quantify system gaps has led to government imposing training and access restrictions that have been criticised as limiting transparency.

Ongoing health services engagement, national support and local capacity have all been essential in effectively developing and implementing this needs-based planning model.