South Eastern NSW PHN today joined with Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor and five other PHNs to announce that ProCare Mental Health Services, a not-for-profit service provider, has been funded to operate a new psychiatry support line for GPs.

 

According to Dianne Kitcher, CEO of South Eastern NSW PHN, GPs have said they would like timely access to psychiatry expertise to assist them managing the care of their patients with mental health problems.

 

“At present, there are no psychiatry advice services for GPs in NSW. There’s also limited psychiatrists practising outside the metropolitan areas so it’s crucial that regional GPs are supported,” said Ms Kitcher.

“It is anticipated that more mental health consumers would remain in general practice if GPs had access to a telephone advice line staffed by specialist psychiatrists,” she said.

“It is not about triaging or referring consumers to a psychiatrist, but rather keeping consumers whose conditions are able to be treated within primary care under the care of their GP,” she said.

 

Mr Taylor said more than 650 GPs in the South Eastern NSW PHN would be able to access the support line which represents a $595,000 Federal Government investment.

“It’s essential our local doctors who manage the care of thousands of people with mental health problems have quick, reliable access to expert advice to ensure the right health outcomes for their patients,” Mr Taylor said.

 

Ms Kitcher said ProCare Mental Health Services was selected following an open tender process conducted with five other PHNs, Northern Sydney PHN, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN, Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN, Murrumbidgee PHN, and Western NSW PHN.

“This is the first time that six PHNs have joined together to co-commission a service and we are delighted with the outcome,” said Ms Kitcher.