9 March 2022
What is the GP Psychiatry Support Line?
The Western Sydney Primary Health Network, has recently commissioned a GP Psychiatry Support Line to help primary care professionals access expert advice to support their patients.
The program is designed to connect all GPs within Western Sydney access to telephone support to receive expert psychiatric advice to support their patients. GPs can schedule an appropriate time to speak with a mental health expert using the online booking form. The service aims to keep consumers whose conditions can be treated within a primary care setting under the care of their GP, rather than waiting to be referred to a specialist.
Support line psychiatrists are available to provide advice on:
- Diagnosis
- Investigation
- Medication issues
- General management advice
The support line is not a triage, referral or emergency service. As such, no patient details are taken during calls to protect the identity of patients and maintain confidentiality. Following the call, a written record of the advice will be sent to GPs within 24 hours via the practices preferred correspondence.
Qualified, experienced psychiatrists operate the telephone line, all of whom have experience in taking a stepped care approach and are trained in cultural competency to support Western Sydney’s diverse population. Where possible, GPs will be matched to psychiatrists with relevant specialisms to their patient profile.
The telephone support line operates between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
You can watch an overview video of the service at gpsupport.org.au/overview-video
How can GPs access the service?
GPs can register online to participate in the project at: https://www.gpsupport.org.au/registration
Or call: 1800 16 17 18
Registration takes two minutes. You will need your AHPRA Registration Number and practice details.
More information is available on the GP Psychiatry Support Line website.
How this service responds to the shortage of psychiatrists
In 2019, data showed that in NSW, there were 12.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, which is below the national average[1]. A shortage in psychiatrists, rising patient mental health needs as a result of the pandemic, and travel restrictions putting a pause on international staffing, has exasperated an already strained mental health system.
In a 2021 statement, the president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Dr Vinay Lakra, acknowledged, “There is an increasing demand for referral to psychiatrists during the pandemic, but the number of psychiatrists required to do this work was already low. There are some of our colleagues who say they have increasing demand from their existing patients and that they are not able to provide care to new patients.”[2].
The GP Psychiatry Support Line aims to respond to an increase in wait times for patients to access specialist mental health care by equipping their own GPs with the knowledge and specialist support to treat them.
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021), Mental Health Services in Australia¸ Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/mental-health-workforce
[2] Belot, H (2021, September 1), Mental health specialists closing books as demand peaks during COVID-19 pandemic, ABC News, Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-01/mental-health-care-shortage-due-to-covid-pandemic/100422480