Mental health services expanded on the Coast

A redesign of primary mental health care services combined with an increase in funding will deliver an additional 500 funded therapy sessions for people living in the Central Coast region over the next two years.

Facilitated by the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (PHN), the additional services will cover face-to-face and telehealth sessions for children, First Nations people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and lowincome earners.

CEO of the PHN Richard Nankervis said changes to the allocation of mental health sessions focussed on health needs, equitable access and the introduction or availability of other mental health services tailored to specific cohorts while offering a stepped model of care targeting individual needs.

Manager of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Leah Morgan said the PHN recognised there was a spectrum of needs within the region and consequently there must also be a spectrum of services.

“The changes we’ve made to the service provision means individuals will be more likely to receive a service which meets their needs while also making the best use of workforce and technology,” she said.

“In addition to the patient services offered through the PHN, GPs can continue to access the GP psychiatry support line for advice on the management of their patients.”

Mental health services funded by the PHN that will be available across the region from July 1 include Mental Health Services for Vulnerable People which expands the scope of the program currently known as Psychological Therapies and gives priority to