Background

To support the Australian Government’s new mental health reform agenda, Western Victoria Primary Health Network is now undertaking the role of co-designing a stepped care model to guide mental health planning and commissioning of services in western Victoria.

The stepped care model is expected to comprise a full continuum of services, from low intensity digital mental health and ‘stepping up’ to intensive high levels of care, including coordinated care for people with severe and complex mental illness.

Stepped care model in primary mental health care service delivery

The model will be co-designed with consumers, carers and service providers across the region and aims to make the best use of available workforce and technology.

The model will also be developed to ensure existing primary and mental health services funded by Western Victoria Primary Health Network as well as the Australian and State Governments are taken into consideration and integrated effectively to provide a seamless, flexible and innovative mental health service system for our region.

The proposed model design will also take into consideration the geographic, socio economic and existing service system issues across Western Victoria and will incorporate:

• Alignment with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as it interfaces with primary mental health care
• Integration with existing and new services including specialist treatment, rehabilitative and social services whilst recognising the range of funding arrangements
• Government priorities
• Parallel development of other Primary Health Network’s work in mental health
• Other commissioned services including mental health, suicide prevention, Alcohol and Other Drug and Chronic Conditions, and
• Vulnerable populations.

Consultations

To support co-design of the model, Western Victoria Primary Health Network has engaged consultants Urbis to facilitate a number of consultations across the region, as well as conduct an online consultation to seek feedback and perspectives on a stepped care model from stakeholders and the wider community.

Separate consultations will be held in each sub-region of western Victoria (Geelong Otway, Ballarat Goldfields, Wimmera Grampians and Great South Coast) with a sub-set of consultation sessions available to enable service providers, consumers and carers, general practitioners and specific cohorts an opportunity to attend tailored sessions that will focus on their areas of expertise.

Cohort specific consultations will focus specifically on:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Cultural and linguistic diversity
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities
• Rural and remote communities
• Children and young people
• Severe and complex mental illness.

All stakeholders are encouraged to attend one of the following stepped care consultations as well as any cohort focus groups that are relevant to your service.

Service Provider Consultations – Stepped Care

The focus of these sessions will be on the role of service providers in delivering the stepped care model, including service integration, referral and service pathways.

RSVP’s to info@westvicphn.com.au or 03 5222 0800 

General Practitioner and Practice Nurse Consultations – Stepped Care

The focus of these sessions will be on the role of general practitioners in delivering the stepped care model, including care coordination and workforce as an enabling infrastructure lever.

Supper will be provided during registration. RSVP’s to info@westvicphn.com.au or 03 5222 0800.

Vulnerable population Consultations – Stepped Care

The focus of these sessions will be on the journey of consumers and their carers in the stepped care model and what enablers are needed to ensure an integrated system. Stakeholders and consumers and their carers are encouraged to attend these sessions.

 RSVP’s to info@westvicphn.com.au or 03 5222 0800.

Online consultation

Stakeholders and interested community members unable to attend any of the above sessions are encouraged to take part in an online consultation process. Please see this Consultation paper and online portal for the submission of feedback.

Further information

Michael Struth
Senior Manager Mental Health
03 5564 5819