Partially delivered and in progress.
What the Royal Commission said
The Royal Commission recommended that the Victorian Government provide more resources to support mental health and wellbeing services in regional areas. This would help services reach people living in remote or rural communities. By the end of 2022, two new digital service delivery initiatives were to be trialled in rural and regional areas. These initiatives were designed to meet the needs of local communities. These recommendations add to the broader goal of ensuring rural and regional communities benefit from a mental health system that is responsive, connected and easy to access.
What we’ve achieved
Hamilton Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
- A new, state‑of‑the‑art $3.4 million Hamilton Mental Health and Wellbeing Service has opened. The service is now home to South West Healthcare’s community‑based mental health services.
- It provides assessment, treatment, counselling, and ongoing support for individuals, as well as their families and carers, helping people access care closer to home.
Digital service delivery
- Funding has been provided to Albury Wodonga Health and Latrobe Regional Hospital to deliver two new digital service initiatives.
- These initiatives aim to:
- Speed up the use of digital services at selected sites
- Increase the number of people using digital care options
- Build understanding of how technology can improve service delivery and access to care
Albury Wodonga Virtual Support Groups
- Using a co‑design approach, Albury Wodonga Health successfully developed, tested, and improved two Virtual Support Groups.
- One group supports adults moving from inpatient or bed‑based care into community mental health services. The second group supports families, carers, and supporters of children and young people receiving care through Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Services.
- These virtual groups help people stay connected, access support more easily, and feel more confident during important transitions in care.
Digital infrastructure at Latrobe Regional Hospital
- Latrobe Regional Hospital worked with a wide range of partners to design a digital upgrade across Gippsland. This work aims to improve telehealth services and access to mental health care in remote parts of the region.
- As part of the trial, satellite high‑speed internet was installed in two outreach vehicles. This allows mental health clinicians working in the community to connect with psychiatrists, clinicians, or peer support workers in real time. It means multidisciplinary assessments and care planning can take place even in areas without reliable mobile or internet coverage, improving access to care for people living in remote locations.
What we’re doing
Albury Wodonga Virtual Support Groups
- Following completion of the pilot in December 2025, an evaluation of the experience and benefits for the groups will inform planning for continued and expanded use of the technology and group resources in 2026.
Digital infrastructure at Latrobe Regional Health
- More information about this can be found in a story published on the Latrobe Regional Health website.
Updated