This model of GP-mental health services shared care was developed in order to address inconsistencies in care across metropolital Adelaide.

1. Mental Health Shared Care
Model for metropolitan Adelaide

2. The project
• The project aimed to develop one integrated model of GP –
mental health services shared care for mental health
consumers.
• A steering group consisting of Consumers, carers,
representatives from Divisions of General Practice, GPs,
mental health services including mental health services for
older persons, developed a series of agreed principles and
goals for the a shared care model.
• Parallel projects about shared medical records,
communication and Integrated IT systems that could follow
the consumer into an acute setting and back out again were
also developed.
• I am not aware that this model was implemented in its entirety
due to a restructure and refocus of the mental health service.
Nonetheless, I hope these documents may be of use to
someone. This project also formed the basis of my Masters of
Public Health thesis (also available on slideshare).

3. Core Principles
These core principles for GP and Mental Health Services Shared Care recognise the unique physical,
social, psychological, emotional, cultural and spiritual dimensions of consumers’ lives and their right
to choose services for their mental health care.[1]
• Mental Health Policy and service structure reflect a collaborative approach in working with individuals and
their families.
• Mental Health Shared Care aims to promote a culture of collaboration, cooperation, mutual respect, trust and
support between consumers, their families and all service providers (GPs, private practitioners, Non
Government Organisations, local governments and other community based health care service providers),
which recognises the importance of the contributions of all participants.[2]
• Services are supportive of the consumer’s individual recovery pathway. The recovery pathway is owned and
determined by the consumer within the context of Shared Care collaboration. [3]
• A primary health care model of mental health service delivery will facilitate continuity of care between the
public mental health system and the primary health care providers and integrate primary health care
principles: Promotion, Prevention, Early Intervention (PPEI), social justice and equity. [4]
• Acknowledgement that the principle and the philosophy of recovery aims to align Mental Health Services with
other specialist areas of medicine. In essence the GP is pivotal to the total health and wellbeing (mental
health and physical co morbidities, drug & alcohol), requesting support and/or input from specialist services
including mental health on an as-needs basis.
• Agreement and utilisation of communication protocols which include an understanding of each participant’s
roles and responsibilities.
• Facilitating continuity of care and acknowledging the importance of reciprocity between the primary health
care providers and the public mental health service so that optimal quality of care can be provided.
• Mental health services are provided in a convenient and local manner and linked to the consumer’s
nominated primary health care provider.[5]
• Mental Health Shared Care models will reflect best practice and incorporate continuous quality improvement.
[1] National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008, July 2003, Key Direction 19.4, 19.5
[2] National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008, July 2003, Key Direction 11.1, 11.2, 19.4, 19.5
[3] for more information http://www.auseinet.com/journal/vol4iss3/glovereditorial.pdf
[4] Second National Mental Health Plan, July 1998, p12; Primary Health Care Policy 2003-2007, SA Dept of Health
[5] National Standards for Mental Health Services 1996, Standard 11.1.3

4. Goals
These goals for GP and Mental Health Services Shared Care recognise the unique physical, social,
psychological, emotional, cultural and spiritual dimensions of consumers’ lives and their right to
choose services for their mental health care.[1]
• To facilitate better holistic health outcomes for consumers
• To integrate Shared Care systems and processes into service planning and development.
• To improve working relationships and communication between service providers through the development
of a Shared Care culture
• To improve communications and minimise gaps and barriers to service provision.
• To facilitate continuity of care between the public mental health service and primary health care providers
so optimal quality of care can be provided. [2]
• To minimise duplications in service through more effective use of resources.
• To facilitate consistency of Shared Care care-planning across metropolitan Adelaide.
• To provide a consistent approach to an individual consumer’s overall care through collaborative decision
making and care planning between services.
• To reduce demand on ED, acute services, and emergency services through improved communication,
relationships, early intervention and coordinated care delivery between mental health services,
consumers and their primary health care providers.
• To support the practice and working lives of GPs and Mental Health Service staff through a focus on
improved communication, prevention and early intervention, reducing the need for crisis response. [3]
• To facilitate easy access to services for consumers and care providers.
• To benefit all clinical partners through collaboration, observational learning, skill development and
understanding of roles and strengths of various clinical providers.[4]
[1] National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008, July 2003, Key Direction 19.4, 19.5
[2] National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce, Sept 2002, Standard 8, Integration and partnership
[3] National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008, Key Direction 33.1, 33.3
[4] National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008, Outcome 32, Key Direction 32.1