Health fund Bupa has announced a $1m funding initiative to support practical research that leads to innovative mental health models of care in Australia.
Through the Bupa Health Foundation, the money will be granted to an alliance of research and industry partners who can work toward improved models of care in mental health and how best to fund them, in the following areas of interest:
With more than 4 million Australians with mental health conditions who spend roughly $8.5bn a year on mental health-related services, “there is a clear need for progressive models of care that are aligned with the health needs and care preferences of today’s population” as well as “the opportunity to utilise the available data and technology of a modern health system,” said Annette Schmiede, Bupa Health Foundation executive leader.
“At the moment services are often delivered in isolation of the broader health care and social care needs of the individual,” Schmiede said. “We’re looking for a cross-section of research and industry groups to work together on this project to represent different perspectives, organisations, and parts of the health sector. Ongoing investment in the development of mental health models of care that result in the best outcomes for the patient as well as the health system is urgently needed, and we hope this may be one step in addressing this pressing healthcare matter for Australia.”
Expression of interests will be accepted until Sept. 17, and the successful project or projects will be announced in December.
For more information about the grants program, including the criteria, visit Bupa website.
