Better Outcomes Allied Health - September 2006

Agenda

Click here to view the agenda.

Aims of meeting:

  • Provide an opportunity to discuss the recent Federal Budget initiatives in primary mental health care with divisions
  • Update and showcase developments in discharge planning and working with Area Mental Health Services (AMHS)
  • Provide an opportunity to discuss common issues concerning the ATAPS projects and related issues
  • Inform divisions about the ADGP "Can Do" Initiative on Substance Abuse and General Practice

Federal Budget Initiatives in Mental Health

Sarah Bradfield, Acting Senior Project Officer, Mental Health, ADGP, provided an update on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) initiatives in mental health, including the forthcoming Medicare rebates for psychologists, incentive payment to practices for the employment of mental health nurses, and the role of clinical and community co-ordinators for patients with serious mental disorders as defined in the July 2006 COAG communique.

Click here to view Sarah Bradfields presentation. 

Discharge Planning Protocols and Working With Area Mental Health Services

This session provided an overview and specific examples of discharge planning processes and building relationships between GPs and AMHS.

  • Sue Brennan, Manager, Service System Development, Mental Health Branch will provide an overview of progress to date on the Discharge Planning Protocols.

    Click here to view Sue Brennan's presentation.

  • Alison Elliott, Mental Health Co-ordinator, NE Valley Division will present on two workshops with GPs and AMHS staff on collaborative care.

    Click here to view Alison Elliotts presentation.

  • Dr Yitz Hollander, Psychiatrist, Austin MHS, will present on the Austin's shared care program with GPs.

    Click here to view Dr Yitz Hollander's presentation.

  • Bill Kuluris, Clozapine Co-ordinator, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, and John Willet, Transition Manager, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Barwon Health will present on discharge planning and shared care with GPs.

    Click here to view the Barwon Health presentation.


Division Discussion on ATAPS and Related Issues

This session was be based around small group discussion of common issues concerning the ATAPS projects or other relevant issues, followed by a large group discussion. Topics raised to date include practice visits, Division Information System (DIS), rural division issues, implementation of ATAPS projects. Belinda Morley, Evaluator, Program Evaluation Unit, will also be available to discuss the Minimum Data Set (MDS) database and evaluation questions. Participants then had the opportunity of selecting a small group and suggesting other topics on the Feedback Form which accompanies this program, prior to the network meeting.

Click here to view notes from this discussion. 

"Can Do" Initiative

Sarah Bradfield, ADGP, presented on the ADGP-funded "Can Do" Initiative: Managing Mental Health and Substance Use in General Practice and its implications for divisions.

Click here to view Sarah Bradfields presentation on the "Can Do" Initiative.