Suicide prevention in general practice intensive quality improvement project

This project aimed to deliver a localised suicide prevention initiative, to decrease rates of suicidality in Melton, Brimbank and Macedon Ranges.

It targeted general practices and aimed to increase GP skills and confidence in recognising and managing suicidality in the practice setting. Additionally, it aimed to improve whole-of-practice capacity to identify, assess and refer patients who present with suicide risk through a structured quality improvement program.

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) commissioned Black Dog Institute to provide the training.

This activity was part of the Melton and Brimbank Place-Based Suicide Prevention Trials and the Macedon Ranges Place-Based Suicide Prevention Trials.

10 practices across Melton, Brimbank and Macedon Ranges participated in the program. They were:

• Brooke Street Medical Central
• Central Health Clinic
• Deer Park Medical Centre
• IPC Health – Deer Park
• Neal Street Medical Clinic
• Parkwood Green Medical Centre
• Riddell Country Practice
• St Albans Medical Centre
• Sun Crescent Medical Clinic
• Sunshine City Medical Centre

Practices completed Black Dog Institute’s advanced training in suicide prevention, prepared quality improvement plans based on findings, completed plan-do-study-act cycles, and participated in whole-team information sessions to improve the ability to identify, respond and managing suicidality within the practice.