Primary Health Tasmania has commissioned three separate services to support adults who have been diagnosed with complex and severe mental health conditions. Diagnosed conditions generally include psychosis, schizophrenia, severe and prolonged depression or similar conditions.
Information about our mental health nurse program for eligible clients 18 and over is on this page, below.
Information about tailored clinical case management for eligible clients aged 12 to 25 is available here.
Information about psychosocial support is available here.
What is available under the mental health nurse program?
Mental health nurses work with patients to:
- establish therapeutic relationships with the client
- liaise closely with the client’s family and carers as appropriate
- review the client’s mental health between scheduled visits to their GP or psychiatrist.
- administer, monitor and ensure compliance with medication
- provide information about the physical health of clients
- undertake client case conferencing with other health workers
- contribute to client management by establishing links with other supporting organisations (e.g. housing providers, social programs).
Who is eligible?
Clients must be:
- 18 years of age
- have a criteria-rated, diagnosed mental health condition that is both severe and complex
- have been hospitalised for treatment of that condition or be at risk of hospitalisation
- be referred by either their GP or a psychiatrist and that person will need to maintain overall responsibility for their client
- need long term management of their mental health condition
- the mental health condition significantly impacts on the person’s social, personal and/or occupational function.
The client must also consent to receiving services from the mental health nurse.
Where is it available?
This program operates from service centres in Hobart, Launceston, Wynyard and Devonport, with outreach services available.
The providers in each region are:
- South: Richmond Fellowship Tasmania
- North: Prospect Medical Centre
- North west: Rural Health Tasmania
Not all services are physically delivered in every local community, but eligible people in the areas indicated have access to some level of service. This could be face to face or through other means such as phone support. Speak to the service providers for more information.
Who can make a referral?
All referrals must be made through a GP or psychiatrist.
What is the IAR level of care? (information for health professionals)
This is an Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) Level of Care 4 (high intensity) service. More information about IAR is available here.
How much does it cost?
This service are free to eligible people where service capacity exists.
I need help now. Where should I go?
Please note: Primary Health Tasmania does not deliver health services or crisis/emergency support.
Your regular doctor should always be your first point of call if you need medical or mental health care.
- In an emergency, call Triple 0 (000) for Ambulance, Fire or Police
- For information about health services open at night, public holidays and weekends, go to: www.tasafterhours.com or call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.
The following helplines are also available for urgent assistance:
- Access Mental Health (Tasmanian Government) 1800 332 388
- Lifeline Crisis Help 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- Drug and Alcohol Counselling (after hours) 1800 811 994
- Poison Information Centre 13 11 26.