Better Sooner More Convenient Primary Care - New Zealand Doctor

Service user pathways in an optimal primary mental health initiative (Dowell et al 2009)
The role of the coordinator is further described:
“Role of primary mental health coordinators
The PMHC role involves a combination of service development, screening and assessment, referral,
brief intervention, and mentoring existing primary care staff. Coordinators with clinical skills often
carry a caseload and use a variety of psychological and other therapeutic techniques.
An important role for PMHCs is care coordination for patients who have complex social needs and for
whom multiple agencies might be involved. Related to the care coordination role, it is also important
that PMHCs are good „connectors‟. They assess people referred from GPs or other primary care
providers, identify clinical and social needs, and find appropriate services to meet those needs.
Other key roles of PMHCs are:
facilitating better working relationships and integration between primary and secondary mental
health and AOD services
visiting or liaising with key NGOs and social services to obtain up-to-date information on the
services they offer and their referral criteria
organising training for practice staff
advocacy for service users with complex social needs – a key focus of intervention may be to
assist patients with obtaining benefits and entitlements, or with obtaining transport services, or
providing advice about the support available for victims of domestic violence
project management – developing policies and procedures, designing referral and other forms,
recruiting staff, etc.
It is recommended that the primary health care sector move towards employing PMHCs with the
clinical skills to conduct assessments, triaging, and brief mental health and/or substance use
interventions. This is consistent with a stepped care approach because it enables the patient to
Business case appendices V12 AC 25Feb2010 Page 91