1st July 2021 Greetings to all practice managers, GP’s and nurses, RE: CPO MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING 2021/22: As you will be aware we are continuing to experience significant increased demand for primary mental health services, particularly for individual counselling packages of care. Our local counselling providers have been overwhelmed with referrals and current waiting times continue to grow. Demand exceeds capacity for individual counselling for most practices in the region. A greater volume of referrals to the group programmes would help alleviate this as would consideration to engaging clients in e-therapy such as ‘Beating the Blues’ on Manage my Health or ‘the journal’ or ‘the lowdown’ (youth) on www.depression.org.nz or ‘Just a Thought’ e-therapy as a first option for treatment for depression or anxiety (which is a funded extended consultation) and if no improvement, then to refer for individual counselling therapy. Group Programmes are available and there is no cap for these. As a reminder: Positive Empowerment Programme (psychoeducation) Stress Less Programme (psychoeducation) Postnatal Depression/Anxiety support group (psychoeducation) A Social Worker is also employed by the PHO to work alongside General Practice with clients who have mildmoderate psychosocial issues. The PHO Mental Health Social Worker is a qualified health professional who is available to see people individually to support and assist with a range of social situations in relation to the person’s mental health. Funding is capped for the coming year and when practices have used their quarterly funding allocation, we are unable to receive further referrals other than for discretionary funding for patients that meet the following criteria: • • • •
Youth 12 – 19 years High needs clients (Māori and Pacific Island) Women in pregnancy or postnatal Clients declined from DHB MHS as not meeting criteria.
Practices are advised to maintain a wait list as they would usually do if funding has been exhausted. We are working hard to explore all avenues to provide options for practices moving forward. •
We are in the process of conducting an internal review of our PMHS to explore ways to broaden the reach of the contract.
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We are working closely with the DHB on the development and phased rollout of the new Health Coach and Health Improvement Practitioner resources for general practice – funding is now available to support establishment of a project team to lead this work and is expected to start rollout in October 2021.
I look forward to the coming year and working with you to provide a service that meets the mental health and addiction needs of the population of the WBOP. I am available to discuss or clarify any referrals or to visit the practice in relation to any mental health education requirements or clarification of any matters relating to the CPO Mental Health Programme. Kind regards, Sylvia Donaldson Registered Nurse (BHSc, PD Dip MH nursing) CPO Mental Health Coordinator sylviad@wboppho.org.nz