Through the Primary Mental Health Care (PMHC) service, we commission psychological services for vulnerable groups. Clients are eligible for 12 general sessions in a 12-month period. Clients who have been assessed at high risk of suicide can access up to 18 sessions per year.
Types of Services
A range of services are available for people who meet the eligiblity requirements:
- General psychological treatment
- People at risk of suicide or self harm
- Child and youth services
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Perinatal services
- LGBTIA+
- Alcohol and other drug use
To be eligible to access theses services, clients need to hold a current Health Care Card. Please note that First Nations people do not need to meet this criterion. Priority services are available for people at risk of suicide.
Eligibility
The patient will only be eligible if the following conditions are met:
- Must live in Western Sydney Primary Health Network Region
- Health Care Card
- Mental Health Care Plan along with a referral (unless they have a Suicide Prevention Referral)
- Completed and signed referral form by the GP
How to Refer
GPs can refer eligible patients by completing the PMHC referral form which must include the patient’s signed consent. Select an approved provider from the PMHC provider list or include information that can help our PMHC team to select an appropriate provider.
One of the following supporting documentation needs to be submitted with the PMHC referral:
- Mental Health Treatment/Care Plan (MBS 2700, 2701, 2715 and 2717)
- K10 form
- K5 form
- SDQ form for children
Submit the referral form and Mental Health Treatment/Care Plan, K10, K5 or SDQ to WentWest via HealthLink (Electronic Data Interchange: wntwstmh), our secure fax number 8208 9941 or contact our Mental Health team at mentalhealth@wentwest.com.au for other secure messaging options.
All referrals are triaged by a clinical or senior psychologist to determine eligibility and an appropriate service provider.
What Happens Next?
Once the referral is processed, the referral information will be forwarded to the psychologist and the client will receive a call to arrange an appointment. We will send the referring GP a letter outlining the outcome of the referral.
After allocated sessions, the psychologist will send the referring GP a progress report and a recommendation for further sessions (if appropriate). The GP is required to sign the progress report and return it to our PMHC team for an additional sessions to be approved.
After the final session, the psychologist will submit a final report to the GP or request an additional sessions, if required for exceptional circumstances.
For more information, health professionals can call 8811 7100 or email mentalhealth@wentwest.com.au