Better Access Initiative

Clients can be referred by their usual GP/Prescribed Medical Practitioner (at their MyMedicare registered practice), psychiatrist or paediatrician.  Please include the following information in your referral letter (ensuring it meets Medicare requirements):

• Client’s name, date of birth and address (please also include an email address).

• Diagnoses/provisional diagnoses & symptoms. NB: If you’re unsure of a diagnosis you can suggest that the client see a psychiatrist for an assessment and management plan or have an assessment with a psychologist (not covered under Better Access).

• A statement about whether the client has a MHTP or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan.

• Where appropriate (and with the client’s agreement), GPs can attach a copy of the MHTP (submitted to Medicare) to the referral. 

• The number of sessions you’re referring the client for (the ‘course of treatment’ – max. of 6 for initial & subsequent referrals). NB: The current cap is 10 sessions per calendar year; referrals are valid for the stated number of sessions and can be carried over into the next calendar year (1 January to 31 December, not the 12-month period from the date of the referral).

• Any current medications.

• Your name and Medicare provider number.

• The referral date and your signature (Medicare accepts all electronic referrals and signatures e.g. email/any visible representation of a person’s name or mark indicating they put their mind to the contents).

   

In-person professional support within populated locations such as shops, libraries or parks can be instrumental for clients suffering from concerns such as Anxiety (e.g. Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder), Depressive Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders (e.g. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Adjustment Disorder).

Still I Rise Psychology’s unique hybrid therapeutic model facilitates life-changing support and targets clients’ concerns which can be resistant to change from the couch of a therapy room. Therapy can be provided during outings where clients can benefit from professional support in-person or via telehealth, helping them to reach their goals.

Ensuring best practice standards are achieved, a service will only be provided where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss a potential referral