Published 29 August 2017.
North Western Melbourne PHN (NWMPHN) has been selected as one of three sites nationally to work with the University of Melbourne, to test a structured approach to identifying mental health need and triaging patients into appropriate treatment.
Using a brief, purpose-designed online tool, patients are assessed, receive feedback on their responses and a chance to prioritise their areas of concern, and are provided with suggested treatment options matched to their assessment results.
For some patients, their suggested treatment will include working with a Care Navigator (employed by the trial) who is based in the practice and assists GPs with developing care plans and linking patients into relevant local services. Patients will continue to see their GP for all other medical care.
We are currently seeking six practices to work with us on this Australian-first trial. Practices will be awarded a participation grant of $500 per month.
Who can apply?
General practices that can accommodate the following requirements may be eligible:
- are interested in testing new ways of delivering mental health care
- see at least 100 patients aged between 18-75 per day
- can provide a room for patients to attend trial appointments
- agree to their reception staff asking patients to complete a short questionnaire on an iPad or similar tablet (tablets will be provided by the PHN)
Please note, expressions of interest for this program have now closed.
