MHConnext is a free mental health nursing care management program for people with severe and complex mental illness who can be appropriately managed in the primary care setting, funded by WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) and operated by Richmond Wellbeing.
Under the program, care practitioners (mental health nurses) work alongside patients across the Perth metropolitan region to ensure a person-centred and recovery-oriented approach to care planning, coordination and connection to health care and support. Care practitioners also work closely with GPs to support patient’s needs as part of their Mental Health Treatment Care Plan.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years and over
- Severe and complex mental health that impacts on functioning (social, personal, family, or occupational)
- Mental Health Treatment Plan
- Happy to be supported by phone or face-to-face care management appointments in a Perth location of their choice
- Are being managed in primary care by a GP
Exclusion Criteria:
- In crisis or at imminent risk of suicide/self-harm
- Require an urgent admission or referral to Assessment Treatment Team (ATT)
- Managed by tertiary/state mental health services
- Are experiencing mild mental health conditions only
For a copy of the referral form please contact intake@rw.org.au.
Phone 9350 8800 or email MHConnext.info@rw.org.au for any further information on the program or referral process.
After referral receipt a care practitioner will contact your patient to arrange a time for an initial assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Care management is a way of supporting the high-level needs of patients, providing a consistent point of contact and connections to other support services.
This can include:
- Working with GPs and other medical practitioners to implement the mental health plan
- Working with GPs and other health practitioners or allied health providers to support the delivery of a care and treatment plan
- Making linkages to low or no-cost service providers for care
- Liaising with other mental health services to support the person’s recovery and treatment
- Keeping GPs and other practitioners informed of any services provided and on-referrals
- Promoting the assessment of physical health
- Supporting people with their psychiatric medication plan.
Connection to other support services may include:
- alcohol and other drug services (including harm minimisation)
- ?nancial counselling and Centrelink support
- accommodation support
- online mental health resources
- community support groups
- other relevant occupational, disability and culturally appropriate services
Once referred to the program, a regular care practitioner will assist the patient to set goals for recovery and keep them well informed, motivated and committed to their mental health plan.
Severe and complex mental illness is characterised by a severe level of clinical symptoms and a degree of disablement to social, personal, family and occupational function. Patients need to have a mental health treatment plan to participate in the program. It is intended as a short-term (3-6 months) support service that assists to establish the right services for vulnerable patients, as opposed to a longer-term intervention.
Eligibility is based on GP clinical judgment; however, MHConnext will also conduct an initial assessment upon referral.
Severe mental illness is often described as significant clinical mental health symptoms that impact on a person’s functioning (social, personal, family, or occupational). It is comprising of three subcategories:
- Severe episodic mental illness
- Severe and persistent mental illness
- Severe and persistent mental illness with complex multi-agency needs
Individuals from each of these groups can also experience complex health and social care needs, including medical comorbidities such as a chronic illness, or social care needs that require external support. This can include the need for coordinated assistance across a range of health, disability and social support agencies.
Your clinical assessment is relied on to establish that your patients will benefit from this care management program.
It is important to note that MHConnext is a brief intervention, recovery focussed service for vulnerable patients with severe and complex needs. It is not a substitute for acute treatments such as referral to hospital emergency departments and other forms of state-based care.
Yes. You can still refer them to existing Medicare-subsidised services including access to the mental health professionals and team-based mental health care that is provided through MBS (Better Access) Initiative.
MHConnext adds to the list of options a GP can offer a patient, but care management does not replace the central role of a GP in primary care.
You will be provided with regular structured updates on your patient, including details regarding patient progress against the mental health care plan you have developed. If the care practitioner identifies deterioration or emergent symptoms, they will manage the immediate situation and advise you of the event and how it was managed. Immediate actions may include accessing other appropriate mental health services or emergency services. In all cases, follow up GP consultation is recommended to support a review of the patient’s mental health care plan.
Patients with severe mental illness that don’t qualify as complex or patients who qualify as complex but dont have a severe mental illnesscan be referred to existing Medicare-subsidised services including access to the mental health professionals and team-based mental health care that is provided through MBS (Better Access) Initiative.
MH Connext acts as a bridge between the GP and other health services, providing intensive care management, either by phone or face to face, to meet the needs of the patient to support their recovery. Face to face appointments can be held set site locations in North or South metro (including GP practices) or at an agreed outreach location.
It depends on the specific needs of your patient. The care practitioner will complete a comprehensive assessment of your patient after 3 months to determine their need for ongoing support. You and your patient will be consulted as part of the review.
MH Connext is staffed by experienced mental health nurses.