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The College has been providing advice and expertise to our governments about mental health care. This is done through a number of mediums including media releases, government submissions and participating in constructive dialogue with various government ministers and departments. Letters and submissions 11 September Results of RANZCP member survey on telehealth in psychiatry in Australia [PDF; 172 KB] 31 August Letter to Professor Kelly (Acting Chief Medical Officer): Difficulties for overseas psychiatrists entering Australia 28 August Letter to Minister Hunt: Telehealth proposal for psychiatry private hospital inpatients during COVID-19 18 August New Zealand National Committee 2020 Election Priorities 13 August Letter to Dr Bloomfield (NZ Ministry of Health) - Experience of telehealth during COVID-19 10 August Letter to Dr Bloomfield (NZ Ministry of Health) - RANZCP response to COVID-19 24 July Letter to Mr Roddam (Australian Govt Department of Health): Continuation of telehealth during COVID-19 pandemic 24 July Letter to Minister Hunt: Continuation of telehealth during COVID-19 pandemic 17 July Letter to Minister Hunt: Telehealth for psychiatry inpatients 25 June Letter to Minister Hunt: Telehealth in psychiatry under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) 30 April Letter to Minister Ryan (QLD): COVID-19, Prisoners and Access to Treatment 29 April Letter to Minister Archer (TAS): COVID-19, Prisoners and Access to Treatment 29 April Letter to Minister Rattenbury (ACT): COVID-19, Prisoners and Access to Treatment 21 April Letter to Minister Carroll (VIC): Meeting on prisoner mental health care as COVID-19 crisis develops 7 April Letter to Minister Hazzard (NSW): Lifting of bulk-billing requirements for vulnerable people with a mental health condition 6 April Letter to Minister Carroll (VIC): Prisoner mental health care as COVID-19 crisis develops 19 March 2020 Letter to Minister Hunt: New COVID-19 Telehealth/Telephone MBS Items 6 March 2020 Letter to Minister Hunt: Telehealth mental health response to COVID-19 outbreak Media releases 18 September Telehealth extension a step towards the better future of mental health 9 September Decision on telehealth expansion urgently needed 20 August Greater access comes with concerns 17 August Alone and at risk: mental health concerns for those in aged care 11August PPE remains a focus for all healthcare professionals 9 August Mental health: a priority now and into the future 7 August Concern for reopening of Christmas Island 6 August Psychiatrists praise extra support for mental health services 4 August We need certainty in mental health investment 16 July It’s okay to wear a face mask says psychiatrists’ president 5 July Mental health concern for those in ‘hard lockdown’ 30 June COVID-19 compounds poor mental health of people in immigration detention 29 June Call for ongoing telehealth to complement face-to-face consultations 26 June Serious concern for impact of economic crisis on people’s mental health 25 May Don’t wait! Is the simple message from the President of the peak psychiatry body 15 May National investment in data essential for targeted action on suicide 15 May Psychiatrists welcome Victorian government commitment to mental health 14 May Psychiatrists welcome extra mental health support 13 May RANZCP welcomes appointment of Australia’s first chief mental health officer 12 May Alcohol misuse and mental health do not mix 11 May Targeted action can prevent suicide increases 30 April Lessons from COVID-19 to future-proof the mental health system 28 April RANZCP renews call to prioritise health and safety for all inpatient facilities 27 April President of psychiatrists’ peak body says act now on mental health services 24 April 2020 Crisis breeds innovation: the NSW Branch of RANZCP applauds the NSW Government’s announcement 18 April 2020 Greater access to telehealth consultations will benefit even more patients 15 April 2020 Protection needed for all healthcare professionals in all high risk settings 6 April 2020 Psychiatry by telehealth gets boost but more changes needed 3 April 2020 RANZCP applauds deal to leverage private hospitals across Australia 30 March 2020 Psychiatrists need more changes to address COVID-19 challenges 27 March 2020 ECT is an essential treatment and can save lives during COVID-19 19 March 2020 COVID-19: Are we looking after the mental health of the most vulnerable? 17 March 2020 Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 In the news 7 July 2020 Psychiatrists deeply concerned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicides 6 July 2020 Fears rise over the mental health of tower block residents trapped in 'hard lockdown' 17 April 2020 Coronavirus revealing mental health gaps - Dr Vinay Lakra on 7news.com.au 8 April 2020 Psychiatrist's thoughts on grief and isolation - Dr Michelle Atchison on Good-Grief.com.au 2 April 2020 Medicare begins funding phone and video psychiatrist consults - President John Allan in Australian Doctor 1 April 2020 Podcast: Bushfires, floods and now this? - President John Allan on Medical Republic Podcast 25 March 2020 Helping patients cope with corona-anxiety - President John Allan with the Medical Republic 25 March 2020 COVID-19 looking after the most vulnerable - President John Allan on SBS NITV radio 24 March 2020 ABC Radio Sydney - Interview with Associate Professor John Allan on COVID-19 and telehealth 20 March 2020 ABC Radio Melbourne - Interview with Associate Professor John Allan on COVID-19 and anxiety In this section Latest news Media centre COVID-19 information hub Practice support during COVID-19 COVID-19 library Advocacy during COVID-19 Psyche newsletter Policy and advocacy library Position statements Submissions Reports Medicine alerts