Urgent Psychiatrist Support to GPs - AVAILABLE NOW
7th June 2004
By: ADGP

A new, freely available service for all GPs funded by the Australian Government under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative has been launched. It provides GPs with quality clinical advice from psychiatrists within a 24-hour timeframe, on management and or treatment of patients with an urgent mental health problem.
The service will be a twelve-month pilot project.  There are 2 models of service delivery being trialled.  A seamless service will be delivered to GPs, in each State and Territory EXCEPT SA, jointly by Educational Health Services and Mc Kesson Asia-Pacific Pty Limited. The service will be available twenty four hours, seven days a week , via a 1800 number, by fax or by email.  GPs will receive advice in writing within 24 hours. 

For all South Australian GPs, a state-wide model is being piloted that builds networks between GPs and private psychiatrists.  GPs can request urgent advice via telephone, fax or e-mail and will receive telephone advice from a psychiatrist within 24 hours of their request. There is no paperwork required from GPs. Information is currently being disseminated to Divisions in SA . 

To access the SA service, please:    
Phone:  08-8172 2050
Fax:   08-8271 8344
Free call: 1 800 558 077
E-mail:  upasa@sadi.org.au

To access the all other States & Territories, please:          
Phone: 1800 200 588
Fax:  02-9425 3879 
E-mail:  psychsupport.com.au 
 
For more information see below, ADGP Information Sheet, Urgent Psychiatrist Advice to GPs 

<< Previous News Item | Next News Item >>