Communication with GPs – June 2023
Significant transformation is underway in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System released in March 2021.
As part of these reforms the NorthWestern Mental Health Service Aged Person’s Mental Health Program, currently operated by Royal Melbourne Hospital, will be split, and a portion of its services will be relocated and integrated into health services located in North, Western and South West Melbourne – namely to Northern Health, Western Health and Mercy Health.
This change will enable our health services to better identify and respond to the needs of their local communities. We are developing age-appropriate transitions so that our adult and older adult mental health and wellbeing systems are tailored to support people as they age.
To support the mental health and wellbeing of older Victorians, each health service will be maintaining specialist functions such as assessment and case management, residential/aged care in-reach, intensive in-home treatment for the avoidance of inpatient admissions, and integration with other hospital and local health care services for the development of holistic care plans. This will mean people with complex experiences of dementia are well supported.
Health services are committed to supporting primary and secondary consultation and shared care. We encourage you to contact your respective area mental health service with any enquiries regarding these changes.
These changes will take effect from 1 July 2023. After this date, access to services for older adults experiencing mental ill health will be:
- The North West Melbourne Mental Health Triage telephone 1300 874 243 (1300 TRIAGE) for the Local Government Areas of Melbourne and Moonee Valley (as part of Melbourne Health); and Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Melton and Sunbury (as part of Western Health), and Wyndham and Hobsons Bay (as part of Mercy Mental Health).
- Northern Health Specialist Older Adult Consultation Service telephone 1300 676 227 (1300 NSOACS) for the Local Government Areas of Hume (excluding Sunbury), Merri-bek, Darebin, Whittlesea, Banyule and Nillumbik
- Mercy Mental Health and Wellbeing Service triage for the Local Government Areas of Wyndham and Hobsons Bay will commence from a date to be confirmed.
OFFICIAL
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we strive to improve mental health and wellbeing services for all Victorians.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Victorian Department of Health. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
