Abstract
Objective: To contribute to a dialogue between psychiatrists and General Practitioners as we work together to develop optimal health services in our own communities.
Methods: In 1994, as newly appointed Clinical Director of the Mental Health Services of the Sunshine Coast Regional Health Authority, I met with the Medical Director of the Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice, to discuss how to address the lack of available public mental health medical services in their communities. There was one psychiatrist with the public community team on the coastal region from Caloundra to Noosa (population 180,000) and a five month wait to see the five private psychiatrists. In 1996, fifty GPs attended our eight month Mental Health Education Programme. It included mental health professionals, consumers and carers as resource persons. GPs rated it as helpful for relevant information and local interactions and requested a follow-up programme in counselling, and later, supports for their own health. Since 1997, a written Occasion of Service form has been sent immediately to the GP after each patient's attendance with a doctor at a community mental health service. In 1998, the GP Division and its Mental Health Advisory Committee decided to appoint a Liaison Officer to develop liaison and shared care in daily clinical practice. In 1999, that Officer surveyed all 250 District GPs and planned the requested projects. These included shared care in mental health services, post-natal depression and dementia, and skills for counselling, parenting, eating disorders and adolescents. GP and psychiatrists in public and private have developed positive liaison during the Local Medical Association's meetings and at various joint educational seminars. In 2000, in February, successful workshops were organised jointly by the local Division and the very active South-East Division of GPs, based in Brisbane.
Results: Many GPs in the District have continued to participate actively in programs and plans for improved shared care, with local mental health doctors and clinical teams. This paper will report from the February Workshops as to how our community is working towards adapting other successful models to meet local resources and wishes.