Project Officer: Mano Arumanayagam
Phone: 8752 4907

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Overview

The ‘Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through the MBS’ initiative (Better Access) introduced new Medicare items in 2006 to provide better and more affordable mental health care.  The Medicare Item Numbers are designed to promote a team approach to mental health care, with GPs better supported to continue working with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other allied mental health professionals to increase the availability of care.

If you need any help with medicare item numbers and billings procedures please call Mano Arumanayagam on 8752 4907. Alternatively you can search the Medicare Benefits Schedule online Medicare Benefits Schedule - Search

For futher information on the Better Access project please visit the AGPN Primary Mental Health Care Network website.

Resources

• CSGPNs Mental Health Treatment Plan and Review template
• The Australian General Practice Network has a range of resources for GPs to assist with the implementation of the GP component of the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative, including:
  • The Better Access to Mental Health Care: Orientation Manual
  • The Better Access - General Practice Briefing - Powerpoint Presentation
  • Patient Pathways Flowchart
  • Outcome measurement tools
  To access these resources please visit the AGPN Primary Mental Health Care Network Resources page on the AGPN website.
• The Department of Health and Ageing website contains information on initiatives to build the capacity of the mental health care system

Urgent advice from pychiatrists

• GP Psych Support service
• GP Psychiatry liaision - item numbers 291(assessment) and 293 (care plan)
• Psychiatrist referral directory - available to members of the RACGP

Mental Health Skills Training for GPs

• CSGPN regularly runs Mental Health CPD events (including MHST), please refer to the CPD Events page on our website for further details.
• A number of external education providers (including the Black Dog Institute and The NSW Institute of Psychiatry) offer mental health activities. For details on external education providers refer to the External Education page of our website.