Information for Health Professionals

 

Medical practitioners and allied health professionals sometimes find themselves providing a primary counselling service to patients. Many enjoy this aspect of their work, but most health professionals choose to refer to psychologists if time-consuming or complex issues arise.

 

Primary Care Psychology places a high value on relationships with primary and allied health care providers. We recognise that the best patient outcomes are achieved when there is an efficient and timely flow of information between psychologist and referrer, and reporting is kept to a level that allows informed decision-making without an overwhelming amount of extraneous data.

 

 

 

 

 

We welcome new referrals to any of our three psychology services (see below). The best method for referral is via post, but please call or email if you would like to discuss any issues.

 

Contact details:

 

Att: Jonathon Walker
Clinical Psychologist
Managing Director

Primary Care Psychology
PO Box 48
Brighton, Vic., 3186

 

Ph: (03) 9553-8838
Email:

 

 

 

 

New referrals may be made on weekdays or weekends, and we can offer a range of service delivery options.

 

 

1. Home Visit Service – $0 (Bulk-billed)

Primary Care Psychology was initially established to fulfil a growing need to provide access to psychological services to those who have difficulty attending a medical clinic on a regular basis.

 

Patient populations who can benefit from this service include:

• the elderly
• people suffering chronic pain or illness
• patients recently discharged from hospital, including assistance with adhering to discharge plans
• those with panic disorder and / or agoraphobia
• people acutely depressed or experiencing low motivation (e.g., patients with eating disorders)

 

In recognition of the financial difficulties that many of these patients experience, those referred under this system are bulk-billed.

 

It is rare to find a clinical psychology service that offers bulk-billing, but we are aware that many people in the community are missing out on necessary psychological care simply because they cannot afford weekly out-of-pocket psychologist fees. We hope our referrers will appreciate and support this initiative.

 

Area Restrictions

Currently, the home visit service is only available in the south-eastern suburbs (Toorak to Sandringham and surrounding areas). Unfortunately we have been unable to find psychologists willing to make bulk-billed, home visits in the northern and western suburbs.

 

Safety Precautions

The only way Primary Care Psychology can offer a home-visit service is by taking several safety precautions. These include appropriate referrals, carer support, and regular peer supervision.

 

Conditions that are not appropriate for this type of referral include:

• schizophrenia / psychosis
• bipolar disorder
• substance abuse disorders
• aggression / violence / impulsiveness issues
• acute suicidality and / or self-harm

In these instances please choose an alternative service delivery method below.

 

 

2. Psychology Clinic: East Melbourne

 

If a patient is not suitable for a home-visit then we can offer a standard psychology consultation at our clinic in East Melbourne. Please note, however, that we cannot offer bulk-billing for this service due to room rental fees.

 

 

3. Your Medical Clinic

 

An alternative option that works well for patients is for a Primary Care psychologist to consult directly to your medical clinic. Not only are patients more comfortable in familiar surroundings, but often a GP or practice manager can negotiate special room rental fees to serve the benefit of patients who are financially disadvantaged.

 

 

We make these three options available in recognition that both patients and practitioners have various needs, and we aim to assist where possible.