Mental Health Services Redesign

Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network currently commissions a number of mental health services – primarily under two programs: Primary Mental Health Clinical Services (PMHCS) and Mental Health Nurse Incentive Programs.

While both programs deliver a high level of clinical care, there are opportunities to redesign these programs to improve service integration, increase access for consumers and create a continuum of services in a stepped care framework.

We acknowledge that changes to the mental health system are of interest to many people, including consumers and their carers, General Practitioners, service providers and the community. To gain the insights of a range of stakeholders, HNECC engaged Nexus Management Consultants to facilitate a co-design process. The process undertaken consisted of:

• Literature Review
• National review of current service models
• Strategy workshop
• Three regional workshops considering a proposed model
• GP focus groups.

For the first component of this model, we requested proposals from organisations interested in delivering a Central Access and Referral Service. We will work with the successful applicant to develop a service that is suitable for local conditions, is appropriate for clinicians and referrers and enables a consumer’s treatment journey to be more integrated to meet their needs.

The second component of the model involves the delivery of low, moderate and high intensity services across a region. This structure will allow a wider range of services to be accessed by more people, including additional services for people experiencing symptoms of mild mental illness and residents of Aged Care Facilities.

The new access and referral service will start from July 1, 2019 and will be provided by a consortium of locally-based and experienced primary care providers.

• Central Coast - Central Coast Primary Care
• New England North West - HealthWISE
• Hunter and Mid Coast - Hunter Primary Care.

To ensure a smooth transition to this new service you can download a list of FAQs and GP desktop guide for each region below.

VIEW FURTHER HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL DIRECTION INFORMATION

THIS CONSULTATION HAS NOW CONCLUDED

Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) is redesigning two programs, the Primary Mental Health Care and Mental Health Nurse Incentive Programs.

The redesign is intended to result in the development of a clinical mental health service model that will improve service integration and achieve alignment with a person-centred, Stepped Care approach.

The re-design of these services will be informed by service providers and community members, including people with lived experience, from across the Hunter New England and Central Coast region.

CONSULTATION WORKSHOPS

You can also provide your input below if you are unable to make a workshop.