North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is committing $900,000 to improve the physical health and wellbeing of people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
The two tenders, valued at $450,000 each, will target the following areas:
- Tender 1: Moonee Valley, Moreland and Hume
- Tender 2: Maribyrnong and Brimbank
Evidence shows people experiencing mental illness are more likely to develop chronic physical conditions than the general population. This can lead to shorter life expectancy, higher levels of disability and a greater likelihood of welfare dependency and poverty.
NWMPHN Deputy CEO Julie Borninkhof said providers are being sought to deliver evidence-based, person-centred care coordination to help people with severe mental illness achieve optimal physical health.
“People experiencing serious mental illness often face significant barriers to maintaining good physical health,” Ms Borninkhof said. “These can include the side effects of medications, limited access to physical health services, low socioeconomic status, housing instability and psychiatric symptoms.
“This program will help ensure everyone in our community are physically healthy and supported, which will further reduce inequity.”
Insights gained through the North Western Melbourne PHN community and population profiles and health needs assessment indicate mental illness in the NWMPHN catchment is growing rapidly, with a concurrent increased need for mental health and related services.
Potential providers are asked to submit integrated and locally relevant responses in a primary setting across a two-year period, identifying the areas of service and outlining the need for the service in those areas.
Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative tenders and will need to register and apply through Tenderlink. Visit https://www.tenderlink.com/mpcn
