MEDICUS MARCH 2016

C O V E R S T O R Y

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Dr Richard Choong

commissioning at a primary care level in WA is entirely consistent with the PHNs’ role in regional service integration. PHNs are ideally placed to lead a regional approach to mental health, in partnership with relevant services, based on the needs of our community. PHNs are not Medicare Locals rebranded. Our PHNs are ‘outcome focused’ on improving Area Health Services to enhance integration between primary and acute care services. WAPHA has a clear mandate to focus the PHNs’ activity on improving access to frontline services, not on imposing unnecessary layers of bureaucracy. Our patients will benefit from a local service system, which is designed and planned around their needs and which makes the best use of available workforce and services. WAPHA and frontline primary healthcare services, and align with WA’s

mental health reform process in WA. The establishment of the WAPHA Mental Health Expert Advisory Group (EAG) and PHN Clinical Commissioning Committees (CCCs) has been an effective mechanism to ensure that Psychiatrists and GPs are well represented throughout the planning and commissioning processes. Private and public sector Psychiatrists are key members of the EAG and represent a broad range of interests and sub-specialties. The RACGP is represented on the EAG, and WAPHA acknowledges the important role of General Practice in primary mental health services in WA. My GP colleagues can clearly articulate the daily challenges confronting us as we manage the care of our patients with

the WA PHNs will work hard towards moving the mental health system from a current one-size-fits-all model, to a well targeted, stepped-care approach which matches services to patients’ needs, when and where they need them. There will be robust performance measures in place to guide the PHNs’ actions and to ensure that the best use is made of the funding. Since the Commonwealth announced the role of PHNs in its blueprint for mental health reform, WAPHA has been working hard with key stakeholder groups on developing a solid plan for the primary mental health services that will best support the WA community. We will continue to inform and engage with the medical profession throughout this journey. ■

mental illness. Why PHNs?

Dr Richard Choong is Chair, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA).

The central role of PHNs in mental health services planning and

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exists among service providers. There’s often a sense of “Oh, here they come again, duck!” However this is a game changer in that it produces a very comprehensive assessment and engages all stake holders. When will the WA mapping project be complete? JM: We are working towards releasing a draft report in September 2016. By then, based on completed and current work, ConNetica along with our partner the Mental Health Policy Unit,

University of Sydney will have mapped approximately 40 per cent of Australia’s land mass which is inhabited by about 28 per cent of the population. Benefits of the project? JM: The Integrated Mental Health Atlas provides a new decision-making tool for monitoring, reviewing and improving mental health systems of care in local areas. It comprises a standardised inventory of all the services providing care for people experiencing mental ill- health in local areas as well as a spatial

analysis (geographical maps). This could be used for longitudinal and cross- sectional comparisons with other local areas, states, and worldwide. Over time, additional data can be added to the atlas to analyse types of service utilisation, types of interventions, efficiency, and health outcomes. This all contributes to evidence-informed policy and decision making and ultimately better mental healthcare for the community. ■

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