Better Care Together

Queenslanders impacted by mental illness, problematic alcohol and other drug use should have access to the most effective care possible, close to home and within their local community.

The Queensland Government’s record investment in Better Care Together: A plan for Queensland’s state-funded mental health, alcohol and other drug services to 2027   (PDF 7517 kB) (Better Care Together) demonstrates a commitment to Queenslanders who experience mental illness, problematic alcohol and other drug use and suicidality.

Better Care Together is Queensland Health’s five-year plan, developed in response to the Queensland Government’s extensive inquiry into mental health, alcohol and drug services—which resulted in 57 recommendations for improving the system of care and outcomes for Queenslanders.

$1.64 billion will be invested in new and expanded services over the next five years, with $28.5 million in capital investments, and more than 1,400 new dedicated mental health, alcohol and other drugs staff being employed to deliver services.

The Better Care Together reforms can only be achieved by working with those who have lived experience—as well as their families, carers, and significant others; service providers and other stakeholders across sectors; and Queensland communities.

Annual progress update

The Annual progress update (PDF 10373 kB) details the first year of implementation of Better Care Together including a breakdown of key investments and some of the highlights for 2022–23.

2022–2023 key highlights

  • Queensland’s first integrated perinatal mental health centre, Catherine’s House is now open next to the Mater Mothers’ Hospital (South Brisbane). In partnership with Mater Health, this centre has eight new specialist inpatient mother baby beds for mothers experiencing severe perinatal mental health disorders, as well as tailored programs and patient support services for parents and babies up to six months after birth, home visit services, day programs and individual consultations.
  • The establishment of Lighthouse Crisis Support Space in Bundaberg has commenced, which will provide an alternative to the emergency department for people experiencing a mental health crisis, distress or thoughts of suicide. Crisis Support Spaces provide peer and clinical support to people experiencing mental health crisis in a therapeutic setting.
  • A network of new Head to Health adult mental health centres and satellites across Queensland are in development, which will address gaps in the mental health system, providing more integrated, seamless mental health care for adults and older adults.
  • Development is underway of two new Head to Health Kids Hubs, on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, to improve access to multidisciplinary care for children aged 0–11 years and their families. These are the first of their kind and will provide a useful bridge between child and youth mental health services and paediatric services.
  • Funding for construction of a new 43 bed acute mental health unit at Redlands Hospital, which is expected to be operational by late 2027. This enables expanded mental health and wellbeing treatment, ensuring care and support is available to the Redlands community.

More information about achievements to date can be found in the 2022 Better Care Together Highlights (PDF 9088 kB) report, which provides an overview of the reform achievements and the priorities of the five-year plan to 2027.

Better Care Together companion document

The Better Care Together companion document, Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Healthcare Digital Information Strategy 2022 – 2027 (PDF 3514 kB) (Digital Information Strategy), aims to advance healthcare and outcomes for Queenslanders with mental health and substance use issues, through digital health innovations and integrated information, focusing on:

  • a shift to digitally enabled treatment, care and support services that improves continuity of care and clinical outcomes
  • seamless care experiences for people with a lived experience, families and carers via integrated digital services and technologies
  • unlocking information potential to inform governance, planning and improvement within and outside the healthcare system
  • strengthened alignment of digital priorities with the broader Queensland Health and national health ecosystem.

Last updated: 6 November 2023