Programs

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

ATAPS enables GPs under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC) program to refer consumers to allied health professionals who deliver focussed psychological strategies.

Allied health professionals have been defined to include psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers with specific mental health qualifications.

Through ATAPS, patients are eligible for a maximum of 12 sessions per calendar year - six time-limited sessions with an option for a further six sessions following a mental health review by the referring GP. Sessions can be individual and/or group therapy sessions.  ATAPS aims to provide patients with assistance for short-term intervention.  If further sessions are required it may mean that the patient needs a longer term program to meet his/her needs.

In addition, the referring practitioner may consider that in exceptional circumstances the patient may require an additional six individual focussed psychological strategies above those already provided (up to a maximum total of 18 individual services per patient per calendar year). Exceptional circumstances are defined as a significant change in the patient's clinical condition or care circumstances which make it appropriate and necessary to increase the maximum number of services. It is up to the referring practitioner to determine that the patient meets these requirements. In these cases a new referral should be provided, and exceptional circumstances noted in that referral.

Through ATAPS, patients are also eligible for up to 12 separate group therapy services, within a calendar year, involving 6-10 patients. These group services are separate from the individual services and do not count towards the 12 individual allied mental health services in a calendar year.

Patients are not to be referred for treatment through Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medical Benefits Schedule (Better Access) Program and ATAPS at the same time. Treatment through both Better Access and ATAPS may occur within one calendar year, provided the total number of individual or group services provided under both programs does not exceed the maximum allowable in a calendar year.

Divisions of General Practice act as fundholders in this component of the BOiMHC program. The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) is the peak national body representing 111 Divisions of General Practice and 8 state based organisations across Australia.   The AGPN provides an on-line Network Directory on its website at http://www.agpn.com.au/ which allows searches using maps or a search interface to obtain information on Divisions of General Practice.  The AGPN also provides a number of familiarisation training resources for Divisions.

Appropriate mental health training can help GPs to further develop and improve their skills in diagnosing, treating and referring patients with mental disorders to appropriate services.  It is strongly recommended that GPs participate in appropriate mental health training, such as that accredited by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration.