Update from Naomi Malcolm, Primary Mental Health Programme Lead
Great news! This week on 11 May we go live with our new referral form, which simplifies the process of referral for our Network and provides a patient-centred approach. This new form on Best Practice is significantly simplified with two options for referral into our service: 1. Social worker 2. Mental health support (this option for Individual counselling and group workshops) The Kessler is no longer mandatory. There is provision for the referrer to advise which support they feel would most benefit their patient and give background information. The MH team will contact the patient to complete the Kessler, assess their needs and make a treatment plan i.e., Referral to group workshops, Individual Counselling sessions etc. As this process is now simplified for referrers, the fee paid ($34.50) to practices for referral into service will cease from 11 May 2022. All invoices for current and outstanding Mental Health Referrals need to be submitted before 31 May 2022 to be processed. Extended consults will be claimed under Halcyon from 11 May 2022 and there will be allocations of these to practices. A report with your allocation balance will be sent to you on 11 May. The discretionary criteria we apply to other aspects of the programme will be extended to include extended consultations. Please also advise all GPs that discretionary funding is available, for those meeting the following criteria: • Youth (12 – 19 years) • High needs clients (Māori and Pacific Island) • Referrals declined from secondary Mental Health Services (DHB and recommended suitable
for PHO) •
Pregnant and postnatal women / new parents
Funding for POC is managed by the MH team and allocated according to clinical presentation. Please be aware there has been no extra funding for the programme so discretion is required before referral to ensure the service is not suddenly overwhelmed. The use of your HIPS and Health Coaches is recommended in the first instance (where available). Please explore other options for funding (WINZ, ACC etc) with your patient and utilise these pathways if available in the first instance .