Abstract
Areas for policy development in Australia and New Zealand over the next two years were identified at the inaugural RANZCP policy forum in Christchurch in May.
The Chair of the RANZCP's Policy Committee, Associate Professor Brett Emmerson, said it was clear from the discussions at the forum that a distinction had to be made between areas for policy development and establishing the precursors for good policy development.
“The participants concluded that establishing relationships with governments, partnering with consumers and carers, and engaging with the media were crucial to the College's success in becoming a policy leader in the mental health sector.
“The policy forum will become the platform for policy debates in future and will recommend priorities to General Council for potential action,” he said.
Key speakers at the policy forum included the Deputy Director General of the New Zealand Ministry of Health, Dr Janice Wilson, the New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner, Mr Ron Paterson, and Professor Harvey Whiteford.
Dr Wilson told the forum that her department's four priorities were New Zealand's Second National Mental Health Plan, the use of information and data to measure outcomes, mental health in primary care and workforce supply issues.
Mr Paterson said there was a need to engage with the media, to address the medical, legal and regulatory issues, to bridge the “quality chasm” and for the College to become acknowledged as the body that advocated on behalf of mental health consumers.
Professor Whiteford outlined the policy development cycle to the forum and how the College could influence policy and policy implementation.
Other speakers included RANZCP President, Professor Philip Boyce, who outlined the College's existing policy initiatives and Dr Pam Melding, who raised the difficulty of delivering “evidence-based practice” in the absence of an adequate research base and the ethical and legislative complications specific to old age psychiatry.
The RANZCP's NSW Branch Committee Chair, Dr Louise Newman, who was scheduled to speak, was unable to attend the Congress. However, her views on the priorities facing the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Behaviour were given in an electronic presentation.
Associate Professor Emmerson said the College was now developing guidelines and a standard template for Fellows to develop their policy ideas into formal proposals.
The guidelines would cover the key issues to include in a proposal, including an outline of the type of action open to the College, and how to link up with Fellows with similar ideas.
General Council's Policy Committee would oversight the development of the guidelines and template, which were expected to be available in September.
It would also have a role in assisting Fellows in the policy development process to ensure that new ideas were brought forward for discussion at the next annual policy forum.
Inquiries about the College's policy development may be emailed to Associate Professor Brett Emerson, Chair, General Council Policy Committee:
(
or RANZCP Policy Director:
Harry Lovelock, (
New policy director appointed
The RANZCP's new Director of Policy, Mr Harry Lovelock, has been involved in the development of high-level policy and project management initiatives across a range of health and human service areas for the past ten years.
In pursuit of policy — Harry Lovelock.
Before joining the RANZCP, he worked in a senior role with the Victorian Mental Health Branch, developing whole-of-government approaches to suicide prevention, and working closely with the national depression initiative beyondblue on its strategic investments, including the development of the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Depression and Related Disorders.
Mr Lovelock will lead the RANZCP's Policy Unit in meeting its major objective of assisting Fellows in the development of well-informed and effective policy through relevant boards, committees and special interest groups.
The unit will also work to enhance relationships with key health and other relevant policy makers, undertake projects relevant to the College and encourage debate on major health issues.