Access To Allied Psychology Services (ATAPS)

Overview

The Department of Health and Ageing have made a commitment to provide through the Medicare Benefits Schedule better access to:

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Mental Health Nurses
• Occupational Therapists
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers

so that mental health issues can be addressed more effectively and new assistance provided to people with mental disorders and their families.  This project is currently funded through to 30 June 2011.

CWDGP under the ATAPS National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) is being funded to improve prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression, and to provide better care, support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing depression.  Under the initiative CWDGP will forge links with local child and maternal health services to promote to general practice and other providers the various care pathways available for women experiencing perinatal depression.

Services Provided Under ATAPS

The Division is currently using ATAPS funding for the delivery of low cost focused psychological strategies.  GPs can refer patients who have been diagnosed as having a mental health disorder to an Allied Health Professional.  ATAPS primarily treats high prevalence mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. 

The ATAPS program is a clinical service that is available to all GPs in a community in which the service operates.  Wherever possible,  CWDGP will negotiate the placement of the psychologist in the GP practice.  In locations where the situation or resources prohibit this approach (e.g. larger towns with multiple general practices) a location will be agreed upon that gives all GPs equal access to the service.

GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (2700/2701/2715/2717) and Review (2712)

Referral Criteria

All referrals to a CWDGP psychologist must be made by a GP in writing using the appropriate GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MD3 2700/2701/2715/2717 + Referral Letter or Best Practice 2700/2701/2715/2717 + Referral Letter). All referrals into ATAPS must meet strict criteria of one or more of the following:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Hold a Health Care Care
• Hold a Pensioner or Seniors Card
• Youth - less that 25 years of age upon referral

Examples of appropriate referrals:

1. Patients with mild to moderate depression, very commonly related to drought or family/work issues
2. Patients presenting with anxiety problems e.g.panic disorders or social anxiety
3. Depression/stress-related problems often associated with parenting and child behaviour management

Examples of unsuitable referrals:

1. Urgent crisis referrals such as actively suicidal patients or those suffering psychotic episodes
2. Any patient requiring hospitalisation
3. Patients who require on-going case management of chronic mental health problems or developmental disabilities
4. Patients who can be seen under other more suitable arrangements such as privately billing psychologists or third party paid services

Review

The review (2712) is a key component for assessing and manageing the patients progress once a GP Mental Health Care Plan has been prepared along with on-going management through the GP Mental Health Consultation item and/or standard consultation items.  A patients GP mental Health Care Plan should be reviewed at least once.