GP Mental Health Care
| Description and Purpose Key Components of the Care System This information is available for download as a PDF Brochure - Primary Health/Mental Health GP Care Program |  |
GP Mental Health Care involves both primary and secondary services working together to provide care for people in a cooperative way. Integrating this care provides increased coordination and sharing of resources in a way that is focused on the persons individualised needs in the community. The program's purpose is to ensure improved health outcomes by developing shared structures, coordination of clinical care (with more focus on individual care plans) and coordinated financial management. GP Mental Health Care focuses on efficient and effective use of resources.
Key Components of the Care System
- Flexibility
- Accessibility
- Client focus
- Based around needs assessment and resultant individual care plans
- Involves continuing consultation with the person
- Closer relationships between service providers at the primary and secondary levels
- Sharing of information and resources
- Greater focus on preventative care
- A more holistic approach to care
- Increased contact with General Practitioners results in awareness of Consumers / Tangata whaiora physical conditions
- Consumers / Tangata whaiora are empowered to participate in their care
- The GP is the primary provider and as a consequence there is clarity in the provision of care. Consumers / Tangata whaiora have a sense of normality
- There is collective sharing of information between primary and secondary care providers
- There are increased opportunities for GPs and Practice Nurses for ongoing education regarding mental health illness and related issues
- The Maori mental health team is accessible for Consumers / Tangata whaiora on an ongoing basis to provide cultural input
- The transfer of these Consumers / Tangata whaiora from the Mental Health Service (MHS) enables more acute referrals to be followed up by MHS
- There is ongoing access to, and support from referring psychiatrists should problems arise with the persons care
- Initial removal of the GP cost barrier, which can prevent people utilising their GP on a regular basis.
- Consumers / Tangata whaiora will receive free GP care for physical and mental health related visits, for a 12months period. (The cost of medication is not covered under the program, except for Depot injections)
The commitment of the service to consult and liaise with GP practices and Specialist Mental Health Services has been a key aspect of the Taranaki program's success. The Taranaki GP Integration Program provided close to 500 community client visits in 2008. The service is available throughout the Taranaki area from Patea to Mokau successfully reaching clients who live in remote areas.
Since the commencement of the program in 2005 there have been no critical incidents or suicides. Successful GP integration continues to be a hallmark of the program with a zero withdrawal rate experienced.
The program is continuously promoted to potential mental health service providers and community groups. As a pathway to successful discharge from specialist mental health services, the primary mental health service coordination ensures the wellbeing and safety of people and the delivery of appropriate health services. GP Integration enhances Specialist Mental Health Service capacity to accept acute referrals and provide consultation and liaison to primary health care services.
- Caters for up to 40 Consumers / Tangata Whaiora at any one time
- One full-time Registered NurseContract held by Linkage Trust
- A capped rate per consumer, paid on a quarterly basis (this includes payment for any prescribed injections)
- Quarterly Performance Monitoring Reports to the Ministry of Health
Get GP Mental Health Care in your region
If you would like to make enquiries about getting GP Mental Health Care or any of the other Linkage Trust Services in your area please contact Manager Funding & Marketing, Graham Potter on:
Mobile (021) 750 827
Email graham@webhealth.co.nz
