Objective 10.1:
Better align psychological therapies with consumer preferences and needs, including for specific population groups that cannot access appropriate options
Action 10.1.2:
Align existing and newly-commissioned services with:
- Consumer preferences and needs on modality of delivery, access hours and type of practitioner
- The needs of specific population groups that cannot access appropriate options.
Guided by insights gained from the 2018 Psychological Therapies (Brisbane MIND) Review process, the PHN revised the Brisbane MIND service model to directly reflect consumer preferences and needs, as well as ensuring the needs of vulnerable groups were better met.
The Review suggested:
- Restructuring the service model to better manage demand for services through-out the year
- Enhancing service accessibility for vulnerable population groups by engaging specialist providers for hard-to-reach groups
- Improving coordination between service providers – particularly at key transition points, and particularly for people with complex needs
- Designing systems and processes that support better matching of services to consumer need, and allowing consumers to be re-referred to more appropriate services if necessary
- Reviewing availability of services to ensure the duration and modality of services match consumer need.
Key achievements
The Brisbane MIND program was restructured – engaging a smaller number of specialist providers to provide more holistic support which is better connected to complementary services in the community. Providers have been block-funded, to facilitate operating within a stepped care environment, where connections to other services are supported.
The following specific population groups have been targeted:
- People who have experienced trauma and/or abuse
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- People from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Intersex and queer + communities
- People at risk of suicide
- Children (0-11 years).
In addition to these particular populations, two additional providers have been engaged to better meet the needs of specific communities in the Moreton Bay North region – including Bribie Island and Kilcoy.
All consumers who were connected to providers under the old fee-for-service arrangement were supported to continue seeing their existing provider until the end of their current referral – so as to not disrupt effective services.
What’s Next?
The PHN will closely monitor uptake of and outcomes from the new Brisbane MIND service model, to ensure the new services is achieving the desired outcomes.
