Project Officer: Mano Arumanayagam
Phone: 8752 4907

Overview

In July 2001, the Australian Government introduced Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) which included the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) project and GP Psych Support. This was followed in November 2006 by Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule program.  Both programs include a mechanism by which GPs can refer patients with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, perinatal depression and self harm to an allied health professional (AHP) for evidence - based focussed psychological strategies.

Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and managed by Divisions or Networks of General Practice throughout Australia, the ATAPS project is primarily aimed at patients who are socio-economically disadvantaged.

Allied Health Providers eligible to take part in the ATAPS project include psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers with specific mental health qualifications.

Through ATAPS, patients are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year and the sessions may be individual and/or group therapy sessions.

To be eligible for focussed psychological strategies, patients must have received an assessment and a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

ATAPS currently has three clinical streams:

• ATAPS Anxiety, Depression, Stress and other mental health disorders
• ATAPS Perinatal Depression Initiative
• ATAPS Self harm prevention and early intervention

For the General Practitioner

For Free Advice from Psychiatrists

• GP Psych Support Service -  Free advice from experienced Psychiatrists within 24 hours
• GP Psychiatry Liaision

Referral Processes

• ATAPS Referral guide for GPs and AHPs
• ATAPS Anxiety, Depression, Stress Referral Process
• ATAPS Perinatal Depression Referral Process
• ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services Referral Process

Resources

• Mental Health Treatment Plan and Review template (rtf document)
• ATAPS GP to Psychologist referral letter
• ATAPS Referral Form
• Patient Information Leaflet - ATAPS Depression, Anxiety & Stress
• Patient Information Leaflet- ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services
• Better Access MBS Item Number Fees and Rebates Summary

For the Allied Health Professional

• ATAPS Procedures and Requirements

Resources

• CSGPN Patient Satisfaction Survey
• CSGPN ATAPS Complaint Form

Outcome Tools

• ATAPS Depression, Anxiety, Stress: DASS 21 assessment tool and Scoring Template
• ATAPS Perinatal Depression: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
• ATAPS Suicide Prevention Services: Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation

Provider Reporting Templates

• Initial progress report to the GP
• Initial MDS Form
• Final progress report to the GP
• Final MDS form for Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Perinatal Depression
• Final MDS form for Suicide Prevention
• Payment Check List
• Tax Invoice - an example

GP Mental Health Resources

Courses - Refer to the External Education page

Useful Links

• Beyond Blue- the national depression initiative
• Department of Health and Ageing
• Crisis Support Services - 24 hour telephone counselling service
• Living is for Everyone
• Mental Health Professionals Network
• Multicultural Mental Health Australia
• Suicide Prevention Australia
• SANE
• Mental Health - Australian Government