Background

Primary health organisations (PHOs) and general practice teams are the first point of contact for many people experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues. In 2019 the Government committed to increase the range of mental health and addiction supports that are available in primary care.  Primary health organisations (PHOs) and general practice teams are the first point of contact for many people experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues. In 2019 the Government committed to increase the range of mental health and addiction supports that are available in primary care.

Over the last two years there have been some pilots of an integrated approach which includes several new roles with enhanced skills in mental health and addiction. An independent evaluation of some of these pilots was funded by Fit for the Future through the Ministry of Health, and the report is available. The Government’s investment in 2019 has led to further development of this approach across different areas in New Zealand. This includes a range of roles who work as part of a broader team with both general practice staff and other roles employed by DHBs and NGO providers.  

The Northland Te Tumu Waiora model puts mental health and wellbeing at the heart of general practice, with the introduction of two new roles – a Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) and Health Coach (HC) as part of the general practice team. This practice team is further enhanced through linkages to new NGO community support roles and dedicated specialist support from secondary care.

The integrated mental health and addiction approach for general practice and primary care services includes the addition of specific roles that include:

• Health Improvement Practitioners/ Matanga Whaiora – employed by Mahitahi Hauora PHE
• Health Coaches/ Community Support Workers/ Kaiārahi – employed by NGO’s based in the local community
• Confident and capable general practitioners and practice nurses
• Self-management support (e.g. self-help resources, e-therapy)
• Referral-based talking therapies
• Increased access to NGO-delivered community support workers
• Enhanced interface between primary and secondary services; more specifically, enhanced integration and co-ordination with DHB mental health and addiction services.

By increasing knowledge of all staff working in general practice and having closer working relationships with specialist mental health and addiction services, those accessing primary care services will have greater choice as to who they see with a wider range of services available.