Daniel Whiting Program Manager Mental Health  Ph: 02 6049 1900 Email: dwhiting@bordergp.org.au	Sue Klippel Administration Ph: 02 60491 900 Email: sklippel@bordergp.org.au
Dennie Streller Mental Health Clinician Ph: 02 6049 1900           Email: dstreller@bordergp.org.au	Kerry Coyle Mental Health Clinician Ph: 02 6049 1900 Email: kcoyle@bordergp.org.au
Marc Williams Mental Health Clinician Ph: 02 6049 1900 Email: mwilliams@bordergp.org.au

The Mental Health Program can assist with:

• provision of co-located Mental Health Clinicians under ATAPS (Access to Allied Psychological Services) or BAMHC (Better Access to Mental Health Care)
• assistance with referral to Psychologists and other Mental Health Professionals under the Better Access Initiative
• education and training events (eg Level 2 First Aid training)
• secondary consultation regarding management of Mental Health Care issues
• access to information (tip sheets, recourses, etc)

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

GPs who are involved with the ATAPS Program are able to refer patients to co-located Mental Health Professionals who provide focused psychological strategies and support. The co-location of Mental Health Professionals within Practices allows for maximum communication, collaboration, continuity of care and overall support for GPs. ATAPS services are deliverable in up to six time-limited sessions with an option for a further six sessions following a Mental Health review by the referring GP; all at no cost to the patient.

Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative (BAMHCI)

This Initiative aims to increase community access to GPs, Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and other Allied Mental Health Professionals for Mental Health care. The Better Access Initiative includes three new Medicare Items for GPs providing Mental Health care:

• 2710 GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
• 2712 GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Review
• 2713 GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Consultation

Better Access also provides GPs with new referral pathways

• all GPs can refer patients who are being managed under a Mental Health Care Plan through Better Access to Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists who are registered with Medicare Australia
• all patients who are assessed as having a Mental Disorder as defined in the MBS are eligible for services under the Initiative.