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General Practice (GP) and primary health play a central role in the provision of mental healthcare in Australia. GPs and primary health providers are key to providing equitable access to people who require care and treatment for mental health issues. In rural and remote areas such as Alice Springs, the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, Central Australia Region (MHAOD CAR) provides mental healthcare and services to a high volume of case managed clients. Due to the cultural, geographical and limited availability of local General Practitioners (GP) or primary mental healthcare, clients receive either standard or extended case management from MHAOD CAR. The principal of mental health service provision is for clients to receive care proportional to their needs.
Previous initiatives have been implemented in Central Australia to refer mental health clients to GP liaison, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and primary healthcare. MHAOD CAR are continually looking for quality improvement initiatives to provide continuity of care for people who experience moderate to severe mental illness. The goal of enhancing GP liaison models is to improve safe discharge planning and follow up care through collaborative partnerships between NGOs and private practice. Since 2023, a revised model of care has been initiated to create referral pathways to primary care services, GPs and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). Partnerships have been strengthened with key stakeholders such as Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) who employ Mental Health Nurses. The revised model of care includes streamlined relapse pathways back into the Mental Health Service. This paper will discuss the process of implementation, challenges and successes to date in introducing a new referral criteria, pathways and improved partnerships with GPs and mental health nurses in primary care settings. The presentation will also explore scope of practice and the influence of the mental health nursing workforce in primary care in Central Australia. |
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