Would you like to improve your skills and confidence in identifying and managing patients at risk of suicide?
Would you like to learn more about referral pathways for acute and non-acute presentations?
Are you looking for a Continuous Quality Improvement activity for the Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement (PIP QI) Incentive?
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) is seeking practices to be involved in a six-month intensive quality improvement project. The project is designed for practices that want to further improve patient, clinical and whole-of-practice outcomes and help prevent suicide.
What does the data say?
The Brimbank, Melton and Macedon Ranges local government areas (LGAs) were selected to be the focus of this program. This decision was based on the rate of suicides in these LGAs.
- Brimbank data illustrates 43.8% of males, 52.9% of females and a total average of 46.7% of those who died from suicide received treatment (through a GP) for mental ill-health in the 12 months prior to their death. Data relates to a period from 2009 to 2014.
- Melton data illustrates 51.3% of males, 44.4% of females and a total average of 50% of those who died from suicide received treatment (through a GP) for mental ill health in the last 12 months prior to their death. Data relates to a period from 2009 to 2014.
- Macedon Ranges has the highest average annual age-standardised rate of suicide for adults in the NWMPHN catchment area.
Please refer to the NWMPHN Suicide Prevention Area Profile for further details about the target areas.
What will your practice receive?
Participating practices will be eligible to receive a $5000 grant, free accredited training, access to quality improvement experts and much more.
The project is the first in our recently launched quality improvement program, which represents an exciting new way for NWMPHN to work with practices in our region. This program supports you to assess your practice’s priorities and make improvements with help from the PHN.
Goals of the intensive quality improvement program:
- Increase the skills and confidence of GPs and their practice teams in identifying and managing patients at risk of suicide
- Reduce perceived stigma around mental health and suicide in the health system
What your practice will receive by participating:
- $5000 practice participation grant paid upon achieving activity milestones
- Exclusive access to clinical subject matter experts, resources and RACGP-accredited education – Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention from Black Dog Institute
- Access to clinical and quality improvement mentors to support implementation of your activities and goals
- Continuous education and training on practice systems and processes to support you in this project, facilitated by a project lead from NWMPHN
- 80 RACGP Category 1 points including QI points
- PEN CAT license
- Opportunity to share, network and connect with other general practice teams in your region
Where can I find more information?
If you are interested in applying for the Suicide Prevention General Practice Intensive Quality Improvement Program, please read the full information sheet and complete application form on the NWMPHN website. Applications close 15 November 2019.
Resources for general practice
- NWMPHN has developed a Quality Improvement Guide and Tools, which includes templates and examples to help you understand how to complete quality improvement activities in your practice.
- UNE Partnerships also has a free Tender and Submission Writing Course for General Practice (developed in partnership with Coordinare).
