News

Targeted ATAPS services through Weave

2012-01-11T22:25:00+00:00

]]>From 1 January 2012, GPs can refer Aboriginal patients with a diagnosable mental health disorder to Vanessa at Weave. Patients of all ages, who identify as Aboriginal, are eligible to access these services at no cost. Referrals are made as per usual arrangements via contacting CSGPN administration to obtain a unique ATAPS number, this entitles a patient to up to 6 individual/group services per referral with a maximum of 12 individual and 12 group sessions available per calendar year.

We are also working closely with our Closing the Gap team through this arrangement to assist individuals who do not currently have a GP to access culturally appropriate primary healthcare services.

GPs who are not yet registered for ATAPS are still able to do so by completing an induction (practice visit) with Mano (ATAPS project officer). To arrange a practice visit, contact Mano on 8752 4907.

Black Dog Institute’s Training Opportuniites

2012-01-10T22:15:17+00:00

]]>There a number of Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) activities available to GPs, as well as a Focussed Psychological Skills (FPS) training course and a FPS-CPD (former Level 2 ongoing) course.

BDI_Randwick_Workshops_-_Feb_to_June_2012.pdf

For further information on the Black Dog Institute’s training calendar and programs on offer please refer to their website. If you have specific queries regarding their workshops please contact their Education Project Officer on 9382 8518

Postnatal Depression Awareness Week : November 13th - 19th

2011-11-14T02:08:28+00:00

]]>Further information regarding Postnatal Depression including available support services and resources can be found by visiting some of these websites:

ANSC information regarding Perinatal Mental Health Services and resources can be found by accessing the following information:

Changes to Better Access Program from 1 November 2011

2011-10-27T21:37:47+00:00

]]>The Department of Health and Ageing has developed fact sheets outlining these changes for both GPs and Allied Mental Health Professionals utilising the Better Access Inititative.

The factsheet for GPs outlines the changes to MBS item numbers based on both time spent developing plan and level of mental health skills training undertaken by the GP.
FACT_SHEET_-_Changes_to_rebates_for_GP_Mental_Health_Treatment_Plans2011.10_.28_.pdf

The factsheet for Allied Mental Health Professionals outlines the changes to sessions available per calendar year for patients referred by their GP or psychiatrist under a Mental Health Treatment Plan from 1 Novemebr 2011.
FACT_SHEET_-_Allied_mental_health_services_2011.10_.28_.pdf

Please note: Patients who have already received 10 MBS rebated sessions this calendar year under a Mental Health Treatment Plan will not be eligible for further rebated sessions (after 1 November 2011) until 1 January 2012.

Mental Health Senate Inquiry findings to be released next week

2011-10-13T23:58:29+00:00

]]>In this week’s ‘Friday Facts’ the RACGP has released the below statement:
“The Mental Health Senate Inquiry will release its findings report next Friday, 21 October, regarding the proposed cuts to the Better Access program – cuts that will affect an estimated 1 million patients per annum. The College is currently reviewing a number of alternative funding models for practices to consider, should the College’s strong advice presented in front of the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs in August 2011 not be reflected in the soon-to-be released report. Alternative funding models will be published in next week’s edition of Fridayfacts.”

The proposed cuts refer to the reduced rebate for MBS Items 2702, 2710, 2712 and 2713. The Department of Health and Ageing is proposing to use the savings from this cut to fund ‘Flexible Care Packaes’ or ‘Care Coordination’ roles from 2011-12 financial year.

CSGPN will keep GPs updated on the outcome of the Senate Inquiry and any changes to MBS Items for Mental Health care by general practitioners.

CANCELLED - Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training for GPs

2011-08-07T23:24:59+00:00

]]>The Black Dog Institute’s ‘The ABC of CBT: Skills for GPs’ event has been cancelled.

Lifeline’s online crisis chat trial extended until 31 August 2011

2011-07-05T00:40:35+00:00

]]>Lifeline has previously been unable to reach people in the deaf community with the traditional phone based crisis support service. “The online trial is reaching new people never before communicated with. It’s stories like this that make the online trial a success, especially when the young person expresses such gratitude to us for diversifying into this medium.”

Lifeline have seen great demand for this online based service, particularly with the under 35 age group accounting for 83% of all contacts.

The trial has surpassed all expectations and Lifeline are pleased to announce that the trial is being extended until the 31st of August 2011 thanks to funding from the Department of Health & Ageing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access their online chat service from 8pm (AEST) to midnight everyday.

FREE online mental health training for health professionals working with pregnant women and mothers

2011-06-02T04:21:51+00:00

]]>The program - ‘Beyond babyblues: Detecting and managing perinatal mental health disorders in primary care’ - is the first of its kind in Australia and will provide health professionals - including midwives, GPs, obstetricians and maternal, child and family health care workers - with extra training and skills to understand, detect, treat and manage mental health conditions.

On completion of the advanced six-hour program, GPs will receive a mental health skills training qualification from the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) and other health professionals will receive relevant recognition from their professional bodies.

To find out more about the online training, visit www.thinkgp.com.au/beyondblue

To find out more about depression, anxiety and related conditions during the perinatal period, visit:
beyondblue or www.justspeakup.com.au or call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636.

SLHN & SWSLHN new ICAMHS website

2011-05-09T04:23:29+00:00

]]>The Infant Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS) including School Link have a brand new website.

The website includes:

Information about Sydney and South Western Sydney Infant Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (ICAMHS) including referral criteria and how to make a referral
Health programs supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people
The School-Link Newsletter
Links to other mental health services for children and adolescents
Other useful websites eg Beyond Blue, Reach Out
Information for families and carers

medications off PBS

2011-05-04T23:52:39+00:00

]]>The following items were removed from PBS listing (effective 1st April):
Zuclopenthixol decanoate (Clopixol® depot 200mg/mL)
Flupenthixol decanoate (Fluanxol® depot 20mg/mL & 40mg/2mL)
Note: The flupenthixol decanoate concentrated depot (100mg/mL) is still PBS listed.

These items are long acting injections for the treatment of psychosis.

Lundbeck Australia, the supplier, has advised that this is a result of ongoing pricing negotiations and likely to be a temporary arrangement.

The deletion of PBS listing will have significant impact on patients who currently obtain these depots from their local pharmacy and may not have the means or the inclination to pay private prescription prices. Private prescription pricing may vary between pharmacies however is approximately $30 for zuclopenthixol decanoate (Clopixol® depot) x 5 ampoules.

Many of the patients who have these medications have them administered at the local CHC and we are developing systems to ensure patients continue to receive this medication.

Some patients may receive this medication through their GP. It is important for patients who are prescribed this medication to continue to have it. The Sydney and Sydney South West LHN are prepared to help resolve any issues. For example if the barrier is that the patient will … MORE...