SEMPHN’s Access & Referral (A&R) team continue to provide valuable support to GPs and service providers by providing a clinical, first point of contact for low-income communities who require access to SEMPHN’s commissioned services, as well as other Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and community supports.

In 2019-20, the A&R team took on new challenges as SEMPHN’s service offerings expanded to include new mental health services such as the Psychosocial Support Service (PSS), Continuity of Support (COS) and the introduction of new referrals through API plus (Accessible Psychological Interventions).

The A&R team continued to receive consistent numbers of enquiries and referrals via telephone, fax and the SEMPHN website portal. However, COVID-19 had a significant impact on consumer needs for mental health services, with the team experiencing around a 50 per cent increase in calls since January.

During this time, the A&R team adapted its services, bringing a more flexible approach to accepting and completing referrals from GPs and service providers, including the development of a secure, online referral form to accommodate the provider workforce as many shifted to working from home arrangements.

Referrals for SEMPHN-funded mental health services can be made through SEMPHN’s Access and Referral webpage or by calling the team on 1800 862 363.