Overview
The Australian Government provided $120.4 million over four years for the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program. This funding has been extended for the years 2005-2008. The program aims to support GPs in improving the quality of care provided through general practice to Australians with a mental health disorder. This will be achieved through the provision of mental health education and training for GPs and more support for them from allied health professionals and psychiatrists.
Objectives
The objective of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program is to form a comprehensive system of primary mental health care, which is focused on continuity of care and quality mental health outcomes.
Program Detail
The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program originally had five major components (see below), however since the introduction of the Better Access in Mental Health Care Initiative, some changes have been made to this program. The 3-Step Mental Health Process, as referred to below, no longer exists. GPs who wish to manage their patients under a formalized system of planning are now encouraged to use the GP Mental health Care Plan (MBS item 2710).
- 3 Step Mental Health Process – a Service Incentive Payment (SIP) is provided to encourage effective management of mental health problems by GPs through a 3 Step Mental Health Process that includes an assessment, a Mental Health Plan and a review. This has now been superseded by the MBS item 2710 – the preparation of the GP Mental Health Care Plan.
- Education and Training for GPs – to familiarise GPs with the program and to increase the mental health skills of GPs.
- Focussed Psychological Strategies – to encourage appropriately trained GPs to provide evidence based focussed psychological strategies (FPS) through the provision of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rebates.
- Access to Allied Psychological Services – (formally known as Access to Allied Health Services) to enable GPs to access psychological and other allied health services to support their patients with mental health disorders.
- Access to Psychiatrist Support – to better enable psychiatrists and GPs to participate in case conferencing and for psychiatrists to provide timely patient management advice.
The most prominent component of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program is the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) component. All Divisions of General Practice in Australia are delivering ATAPS programs to support their GPs and their community. Divisions ATAPS projects closely align with the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative in that both programs enable GPs to refer their patients to allied health professionals to receive professional psychological support. The ATAPS projects are funded by Divisions of General Practice, whereas Better Access is funded through Medicare.
Resources
- Primary Mental Health Care Australian Resource Centre (PARC)
- Interim evaluations for the ATAPS projects
- ATAPS Evaluation Support
Links
Feedback
Karen Hale-Robertson
Senior Program Leader - Mental Health
Email: khale-robertson@gpqld.com.au
Phone: 07 3105 8300