GP Mental Health Shared Care Program

What is the GP Mental Health Shared Care Program?
The Mental health shared care program provides support to the path of recovery and physical health of a consumer whose care is shared by a GP and the Local Health Networks. Shared Care clearly specifies which service will be responsible for identified aspects of their physical health care.
People experiencing enduring mental illness attend the GP more often but are screened less frequently for common conditions than the general population. As a result, this population have a reduced life expectancy of up to 25 years, with most death due to physical causes.
Mental Health Shared care allows for mental health services to work in partnership with consumers and their GP to support their overall health and wellbeing. Shared care provides better collaboration between mental health services, consumers/patients and general practice. Each region approaches Shared Care program differently, with the main focus being providing support for GPs to improve mental health alongside physical health outcomes.
CESPHN has funded three Local Health Networks in the region to deliver Mental Health Shared Care.
Eligibility
To be eligible to access the program, clients need to be receiving care coordinated by either SLHD, SESLHD or St Vincent’s Health Network Mental Health Services.
How to access the service?
Contact through SLHD, SESLHD or St Vincent’s Health Australia Mental Health Services.
Who can refer to the service?
Your GP or request the service through your care coordinator.
Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)
Maria Pearce
GP Partnerships Coordinator | Part-time: Tue-Wed-Thu
Croydon Community Health Centre, 24 Liverpool Road, Croydon NSW 2132
Ph: 0460 015 732
maria.pearce@health.nsw.gov.au
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD)
Megan Smith
Shared Care Clinical Nurse Consultant | Part-time: Tue-Wed-Thu
St George Community Mental Health Centre, Level 1, 15 Kensington St, Kogarah
Ph: 9553 2500 | Fax: 9553 2525
Megan.Smith2@health.nsw.gov.au
St Vincent’s Health Network
Jonathan Meisner and Mary Raffoul
Shared Care CNC | Community Mental Health Service
Level 3, O’Brien Building, 390 Victoria Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010
M: 0458 227 568 | F: (02) 8382 1997/1591 | Ph: (02) 8382 1328/1600