Media response - Funding for the Fresh Start Recovery Program

Questions asked by: Today Tonight (Channel 7 Perth)

Subject: FSRP (Dr O'Neil)

Minister's response:

The value and importance of the Dr O'Neil's Fresh Start Recovery Programme (FSRP) service's work is recognised by the WA Government, which provides substantial and recurrent annual funding to the service. 

Over the last 8 years Dr O'Neil has been given more than $8million, and CPI adjusted in 2008/09 Fresh Start will receive $1.153million from the WA Government. It is considered that this level of funding adequately covers the services outlined in the current funding agreement with Dr O'Neil. 

Further to my meeting with Dr O'Neil in December 2008, a meeting with the Premier, myself and Dr O'Neil is being scheduled for later in January to discuss his request for extra WA Government funding.

The Commonwealth, rather than the State Government, is responsible for funding medications provided to patients in the private sector, and the State Government does not usually fund unregistered medications for use in private practice.

An opportunity for further funding by the Commonwealth Government may also be created through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme should the naltrexone implant treatment used by the Fresh Start Recovery Programme gain full registration with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 

The State Government has offered Dr O'Neil practical assistance towards meeting the peer review and TGA process requirements, and I wish him well in this venture.