EOI: Practices to provide opioid dependence treatment

20 February 2024

Expressions of interest are sought from practices within South Western Sydney to take part in the Whole of Practice Capacity Building Initiative for Opioid Dependence Treatment.

Are you interested in developing your practice’s ability to support patients requiring opioid dependence treatment? This unique opportunity offers attractive remuneration of $20,000 and enables practices to gain access to free training and ongoing support.

The initiative is offered by South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) to GP practices, to maximise their response to Australian Government changes to the PBS in relation to Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) medications and treatment.

Background

South Western Sydney PHN is committed to supporting local clinical pathways into primary care to improve outcomes for patients receiving Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment. Ongoing SWSPHN AOD initiatives include promotion of service integration, educational for general practitioners and practice nurses and commissioning of treatment services.

About the initiative

SWSPHN seeks expressions of interest from South Western Sydney GP practices interested in implementing this whole-of-practice initiative. Successful practices will participate in educational opportunities, develop referral pathways for stable patients and be provided with ongoing support from South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) Drug Health Services.

Incentives up to $20,000 per practice are available for completion of activities as follows:

1. One-off payment of $6,000 for completion of all educational opportunities:

Completion of Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) for two or more GPs or Nurse Practitioners per practice, including generous CPD hours. Placements will be provided by SWSLHD Drug Health Services.
Free training and opportunities for one or more practice nurses to work at the top of their scope in treatment of patients on ODT and other AOD presentations. Training will be provided by SWSLHD Drug Health Services with allocated CPD hours.
Free half day training for one or more front line staff to improve confidence and knowledge to work with patients on ODT, and patients with general AOD presentations. Training will be provided by Lives Lived Well.

2. One-off payment of $14,000 for completion of activities to develop referral pathways with SWSLHD Drug Health Services, and evidence that training has been put into practice:

Work with SWSLHD Drug Health Services to transition patients to and from tertiary services into primary care, where stable patients are referred to primary care and patients requiring stabilisation are referred to Drug Health Services.
Engage in supports offered by SWSLHD Drug Health Services, which include access to medical officers, networking and support from Drug Health Services for practice nurses, in-practice support from Drug Health Service Clinical Nurse Consultants and telephone support for GPs and practice nurses from the GP Drug and Alcohol Advice and Support Service.

Eligible practices

Are located within the South Western Sydney region
Have two or more GPs and/or Nurse Practitioners committed to participating in the initiative
Have one or more practice nurses and front of practice staff committed to participating in the initiative
Must have electronic patient health record systems and business intelligence tools
Commitment to increasing numbers of patients receiving ODT

Further information and lodgment of EOI:

EOI opening date: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
EOI closing date and time: 5pm, Friday, 15 March 2024
Review by: 22 March 2022
Advise successful applicants by: 29 March 2024
Commencement: Mid-May 2024

Enquiries and further information:
Val Burge
SWSPHN Mental Health and AOD Programs Coordinator,
Ph: 4632 3057
Em: val.burge@swsphn.com.au

EOI - Whole of Practice Capacity Building Initiative for Opioid Dependence Treatment

"*" indicates required fields

Title

First name*

Last name*

Job title*

Practice business name*

Street address*

Suburb*

Email*

Phone*

This practice has two or more GPs and/or nurse practitioners committed to participating in the initiative*

Yes

This practice has one or more practice nurses and front of practice staff committed to participating in the initiative*

Yes

This practice uses an electronic patient health record system and business intelligence tool*

Yes

This practice has a commitment to increase the numbers of patients receiving Opioid Dependence Treatment*

Yes

Comments

Consent*

I acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of my personal information in accordance with South Western Sydney PHN’s Privacy Policy. I also acknowledge that I am not sharing another person’s personal information without their informed consent. I understand SWSPHN takes my privacy seriously and will handle my data securely.

Next steps

SWSPHN will review each EOI on an individual basis and will contact selected practices to discuss next steps. Unsuccessful practices will receive notification via email.

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