GP partners Adelaide provides three Mental Health Programs to assist GP’s to manage mental health issues with patients. These are:
- Mental Health Shared Care Program
- Access to Allied Psychological Services Program (ATAPS)
- Suicide Prevention and Harm Minimisation Program
To access Mental Health Shared Care or ATAPS, a Mental Health Care Plan needs to be completed and faxed to GP partners Adelaide on 8227 2220 where it will be triaged by the Mental Health Clinicians and allocated to the appropriate program.
You DO NOT need to complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan to refer to the Suicide Prevention and Harm Minimisation Program.
For more information on each of the programs, please click on the following links:
Mental Health Support Services
GP Access to Psychiatrists
Two options for psychiatrist advice are available for GPs on management of patients with mental health problems.
Option 1
One-off patient assessments and advice for the managing GP through GP-PASA 291
- one-off psychiatric assessments and management advice for patients you can manage in your practice
- one pathway to Better Access referrals
- one number to ring for a reserved appointment: 1800 721 899 (formerly 8172 2050)
Brief protocol when you call to ensure request is appropriate:
- Is your patient in a crisis situation? NO
- Will you be responsible for the continuing care of the patient? YES
- Is a one-off assessment and management plan appropriate support for care of this patient? YES
- Do you require the assessment for a third party eg court, superannuation fund? NO
- Are there risk factors that would make attendance by this patient at private psychiatrist rooms inappropriate? NO
GP-PASA 291 gives the requesting GP an appropriate appointment for the patient in the following couple of weeks.
Written assessment and management plan back to the GP within 14 days of the appointment.
Call dedicated line 1800 721 899 (9am – 5pm, M to F) for an appointment .
Brief GP details are taken. Appointment details given to GP for confirmation direct to psychiatrist rooms within 24 hours.
Referral letter including a clear statement of the goal for the assessment to be faxed to psychiatrist rooms before assessment.
Further information
- Each psychiatrist maintains his/her individual billing practice. The patient needs to ensure they know the method of payment and cost before the appointment
- Adelaide-based private psychiatrists
- Assessments under MBS Psychiatry Item 291
- GP-PASA 291 is funded by SA Department of Health
Option 2
GP Psych Support
GP Psych Support offers free mental health patient management advice to GPs all over Australia. This convenient service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. Our psychiatrists are qualified to assist with enquiries about diagnosis, changes to medication, general management and referral options, in the areas of: perinatal; child and adolescent; drug and alcohol; general adult; and old age psychiatry. GP Psych Support can be accessed by telephone (1800 200 588), facsimile (1800 012 422) or secure website at www.psychsupport.com.au.
