To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
To receive important alerts and updates from Gold Coast Primary Health Network, please submit the form below.
Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) acknowledges that the mental health needs of people in the region are diverse, and a flexible and responsive service system is an essential ingredient in supporting the health and well-being of the community. GCPHN works to ensure there are mental health service options available across the stepped care continuum, and that we have the right service mix and streamlined access to services in the region.
Focus areas:
GCPHN commissions a range of services to meet different needs in the region. These services are available at no cost to patients. You can view more details on all of our commissioned services below or click here to view our 2 page Funded Services Summary PDF.
Head to Health Phone Service | 1800 595 212
The Head to Health phone service is a non-urgent mental health assessment and referral service available in the Gold Coast.
Consumers, carers, and health professionals can call the phone service on 1800 595 212 from Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 5pm to speak with a mental health clinician for an assessment and warm referral to the right mental health support.
For health professionals, you can call the phone service to speak to the mental health clinicians with knowledge of local services to discuss referral pathways and options.
The Head to Health phone service is a service navigation and referral service only, the service does not provide case management to clients.
Access and Referrals: Mental Health Stepped Care Referral Form
Enquiries: 1800 595 212
Stepped Care
Stepped care is defined as an evidence-based, staged system comprising a range of interventions, from the least to the most intensive, which can be matched to a person’s needs and guides primary health networks in their role in planning, commissioning and coordinating primary mental health care services. Stepped care recognises there are a spectrum of needs, and that therefore there needs to be a spectrum of services.
Key features of the stepped care model:
For more information on stepped care please refer to Department of Health reference material: Primary Health Networks (PHN) primary mental health care guidance – stepped care | Australian Government Department of Health
MBS Better Access Service
Where appropriate general practitioners should consider MBS funded services in the first instance. Gold Coast Primary Health Network funded stepped care services are designed to address gaps in access to psychological therapies and compliment MBS services available under the Better Access initiative, as part of broader efforts to address the needs of hard to reach populations.
The purpose of the Better Access initiative is to improve treatment and management of mental illness within the community. The Better Access initiative is increasing community access to mental health professionals and team-based mental health care, with general practitioners encouraged to work more closely and collaboratively with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, registered psychologists and appropriately trained social workers and occupational therapists. Part of the Better Access funding has been allocated to education and training for health professionals.
View more information about the Better Access initiative here
View GP Mental Health Treatment Medicare Items here
Clinical Mental Health Services
Comprehensive clinical support for people experiencing the impacts of severe mental illness. Activities include assessment, clinical care coordination, structured psychological therapies, outreach in the community, monitoring, and ongoing management which can be provided by individual clinicians or multi-disciplinary teams. Services are able to link to and coordinate a range of additional supports including general practice.
Click here to view Clinical Mental Health Services
Structured Psychological Therapy Services
Interventions include a structured interaction between a person and a qualified mental health professional using a recognised psychological method including cognitive behavioural techniques, family therapy, psycho education and counselling. Treatment aims to alleviate psychological distress, change maladaptive behaviour and foster better mental health. Structured psychological therapies can be delivered to individuals or groups and are typically delivered in an office or community setting.
Click here to view Structured Psychological Therapy Services
Non-clinical Mental Health Services
Non-clinical mental health interventions provided in the community including individual and group based support and peer work, family and carer support, service navigation and drop-in services. Services include specialised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI), culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and pansexual plus (LGBTIQAP+) providers.
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