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ACCESS TO ALLIED PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES(ATAPS)

Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative (BOiMH) and the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) are funded by the Australian Government and aims to support GP’s in improving the quality of care provided through general practice to Australians with a mental health disorder.  This is achieved through the provision of mental health education and training for GP’s and support for them from local psychologists contracted to GEGPN.

 

The Components of the Initiative

-   The 3 Step Mental Health Process (assessment, mental health plan and review). This must
    include a minimum of 2 consultations of more than 20 minutes one of which must be a review
    1-6 months after preparing mental health plan.
-   Education and training for GP’s.
-   Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) – to encourage appropriately trained GP’s to provide
    evidence based FPS through new MBS item number/rebates.

 

Aims

BOiMH

This initiative is aimed at all men, low-income females and Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)
patients in the community, who are over the age of 12 years, and who have mild mental health
issues. It is a short-term intervention, allowing a patient up to 12 individual counselling sessions,
with a Review Consultation after the 6th session. GP referral is essential. The GEGPN runs this
Initiative in both Kalgoorlie and Esperance and has a project officer to facilitate the utilisation and
uptake of the program. In Esperance, the sessions are conducted by a private practitioner Michelle
Long. In Kalgoorlie, the sessions are also conducted by private practitioners: Heather Lowndes,
Judy Marty (up to 31st August), and Michelle Broadway. The fee of this service is $5 per 50
minute session.

NPDI
This initiative is aimed at women experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression, up to 12 months
after birth. It is a short-term intervention, allowing a patient up to 18 individual counselling sessions,
with a Review Consultation after 6th and 12th session. GP referral is essential. The GEGPN runs
the NPDI only in Kalgoorlie and has a project officer to facilitate the utilization and uptake of the
program. The sessions are conducted by Nicole Wade who is based at the Goldfields Women’s
Health Care Centre. The fee of this service is $5 per 50 minute session.

 

Eligibility

Eligibility for participation and access to the associated Service Incentive Payment (SIP) requires
that GP’ work from a PIP (Practice Incentive Payment) or accredited practice.
 
Once eligible for the Program GPs will receive a $150 Sign-on Payment and additional SIP of
$150.00 for every Client that attends their Review appointment.  These payments made by
Medicare Australia are made by Electronic Funds Transfer in the GPs nominated bank in
conjunction with each quarterly PIP.

 
 

Useful Links

Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
DepressioNet http://www.depressionet.com.au/
Sane http://www.sane.org/
eMJA Mental Health Information Centre http://www.mja.com.au/public/mentalhealth/index.html
Auseinet http://www.auseinet.com/
Mental Health Council of Australia http://www.mhca.org.au/
WA Association for Mental Health http://www.waamh.org.au/

Youth
itsallright.org http://www.itsallright.org
Reach Out! http://reachout.com.au/home.asp

Carers
Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill http://www.arafmi.asn.au/
Carers WA http://www.carerswa.asn.au/
Quality Use of Medicines/National Prescribing Service

 

To find out more details on all programs please refer to the ‘Applications Portal’ (http://apps.goldhealth.net.au/application/notice/notice.asp) or contact the GEGPN on (08) 90216610.

 

  

 

’These photos have been kindly donated to the Goldfields Esperance GP Network by Dr Charley Nadin. Copyright © 2006 Dr Nadin.’
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