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GPs and other health professionals may refer patients to SWSPHN’s commissioned mental health services through SWSPHN Mental Health Central Intake. Read on for instructions.
Referral instructions for GPs
Adult and child mental health referrals
Complete a Mental Health Referral Form and Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Referrals are processed within three business days and allocated to the corresponding service providers. The service providers will contact the patient within five business days of notification and an appointment will be scheduled within a month. This timeframe can vary depending on volume of referrals and service capacity.
SWSPHN Mental Health Central Intake Referral Form
Mental Health Treatment Plan
Where possible GPs are requested to send a copy of the Mental Health Treatment Plan to accompany the referral. This will enable the patient access to the full number of sessions corresponding to the service.
Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTP) are not required immediately. The patient will be given access to a limited number of sessions until the MHTP is completed.
Clinical Suicide Prevention Service referrals
GPs can refer to the Clinical Suicide Prevention Service by completing the SWSPHN Clinical Suicide Prevention Referral Form. Referrals to the Clinical Suicide Prevention Service are treated with priority and processed within 24 (business) hours of receipt, with the patient receiving a call from a clinician within this time frame. Depending on level of risk an appointment will be scheduled within three to five business days.
Clinical suicide prevention GP referral form
Submit these completed forms to:
HealthLink: swsphnmh
Fax: 02 4623 1796
For support making a referral, phone SWSPHN Mental Health Central Intake on: 1300 797 746.
Other health professional referral instructions
Health professionals other than GPs can refer their clients by completing the SWSPHN Mental Health Smart Referral Form.
This referral will provide a client access to three or four provisional sessions with a mental health professional, depending on the program. Once a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is submitted to SWSPHN Mental Health Central Intake, additional sessions will be released.
From 1 January 2025, the Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Decision Support Tool (DST) will be mandatory for all non-GP health professionals using the SWSPHN Mental Health Smart Referral Form. Visit the CPD events calendar for IAR-DST training opportunities.
Referrers who are not comfortable using the IAR-DST can call or refer their clients to call the national Head to Health phone service on 1800 595 212. Referrers/their client will be supported to complete the IAR-DST over the phone by a trained intake worker and the client will be referred to services which best match their need.
SWSPHN Mental Health Smart Referral form
For Clinical Suicide Prevention Service referrals you must also submit a Suicide Risk Assessment.
For support making a referral, phone SWSPHN Mental Health Central Intake on: 1300 797 746.
Services are matched to your patient’s level of need ranging from low intensity for mild mental health concerns to high intensity for severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs in line with IAR-DST.