Mr David Butt, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance joins us at the upcoming 8th Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium and will discuss ‘Consensus Statement on Identification and Care for the Physical Health of People with a Mental Illness’.
We know that people with a mental illness die younger – between 10 and 32 years earlier – than the general population. They have higher rates of physical illness, yet lower rates of getting the hospital and other health care services they need. People with psychotic illness have diabetes at three times the rate of the general population, which is further compounded by higher rates of obesity. We also know that much of the link between mental illness and poor physical health is preventable.
The Commission’s work on the National Consensus Statement on Identification and Care for the Physical Health of People with a Mental Illness will be presented.
David Butt has recently been appointed the CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance, he is the immediate past CEO of the National Mental Health Commission and has 30 years of experience in the health system, much of it at CEO and Executive level.
Prior to his appointment to the Commission, David was Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Health from August 2011, head of Rural and Regional Health Australia, and the Commonwealth’s first Chief Allied Health Officer.
This followed 15 years as CEO of three major health system organisations: Chief Executive of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health and Community Care, National CEO of Little Company of Mary Health Care (the Calvary group – one of Australia’s largest not for profit hospitals and health services providers) and CEO of the Australian General Practice Network.
Prior to this David worked as an executive in a number of positions in Queensland Health, including as Executive Director of Policy and Planning and for a brief time as Regional Director of Peninsula and Torres Strait health region.
The 8th Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium brings together leaders in Australian mental health presenting and sharing the latest developments in rural service provision and research. This year’s symposium provides excellent opportunities to learn, discuss, workshop and network with others who share a passion for rural and remote mental health.
For more information on the 8th Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium please visit the symposium website, to secure your place at this important annual event register your place today.