About the program….

The Adelaide Hills Division of General Practice (AHDGP) “Local Focus” program is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and is a part of the Australian Government's Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program. This Initiative was developed by the Commonwealth Government to support general practitioners (GPs) in their role as primary healthcare providers to their patients with a mental health disorder.

The primary focus of the allied health component of the Initiative is to support GPs, in the provision of quality primary mental health care.

One of the intentions of the BOiMHC Program is to provide access to mental health care for people who would otherwise miss out. Low-income earners are therefore an important target group (there is no fee for this service).

In particular this program seeks to assist patients experiencing acute episodes of anxiety and depression

Allied Health Services

Psychologists and mental health nurses provide the services and, as per the guidelines set out by the Commonwealth, evidence-based focussed psychological strategies are utilised in these interventions. These strategies include psycho-education, cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Clinics are based at Stirling, Mt Barker, Strathalbyn and Gumeracha.

Patients may have up to 6 sessions, of about 50 minutes duration, with a psychologist or mental health nurse. There is an option of a further 6 sessions after GP review.

The psychologist or mental health nurse provides referring GPs with written reports following patients’ initial and final sessions with them.

Patient eligibility

The target group of this program is patients with acute episodes of anxiety and depression, as per the ICD-10 classification, who are low income earners and are unable to access private service providers.

Patients with alcohol use disorders, chronic mental health issues, acute psychosis, dementia and intellectual disability will continue to be managed by other appropriate health services.

Referral

General Practitioners, who are practicing within the AHDGP region, are eligible to refer patients to the program for short-term psychological intervention.

The referral process occurs as part of the Initiative’s 3 Step Mental Health Process.

The process of referral involves completion of:

    1. Mental health assessment
    2. Mental health plan
    3. AHDGP referral form &
    4. Informed consent

All required forms are available from the Division and can be installed on Medical Director, in the letter writer section.

Referral forms can be faxed to the Manager Allied Health, AHDGP Fax no. 8406 7760

AHDGP staff contact patients to arrange their initial appointment.

If you would like further information about this service, Please contact:

Clinical Consultant/Mental Health Nurse: Clive Harrison

Phone: 8406 7715    Fax: 8406 7760