Capital Health Network

How can GPs help their patients access mental health services? Demand for community mental health services is at an all-time high in the ACT. The cost-of-living crisis, private fees, waiting times and accessibility all represent barriers to services and treatment.

Capital Health Network invites GPs and other primary health care practitioners to an evening showcasing Canberra’s free and low-cost mental health services. Speakers from the following organisations will outline their local service, what it does, who the services sees, how to access the service, waiting times and if any fees are involved.

• Directions Health Services

• Headspace

• Marymead Catholic Care

• Medicare Mental Health Centres

• Meridian

• Safe Haven

• The Junction Youth Support

• Think WISE

• University of Canberra.

Register Here

A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees of the live webinar. Attendees are welcome to self-report CPD hours to their education dashboard (Educational Activity 1.5 hours). The webinar will be posted online on Capital Health Network’s YouTube.

Join Capital Health Network and Psychiatrist Dr Llewellyn Lewis for a webinar focusing on bipolar disorder.

This webinar will cover issues such as:

• The context of bipolar disorder
• Diagnosis (including delayed diagnosis and differentiating between unipolar and bipolar depression)
• Initial GP management of manic or hypomanic episodes
• Management of bipolar depression
• Rapid cycling
• Medications
• Safety planning
• Sectioning patients
• Psychosocial supports
• Referral pathways (and what to do when the patient cannot access urgent psychiatric care due to cost or availability)

Register Here

A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees of the live webinar. Attendees are welcome to self-report CPD hours to their education dashboard (Educational Activity: 1.5 hours). The webinar will be posted online on Capital Health Network’s YouTube.

We are progressing toward a pilot program to expand the GP scope of practice in ADHD management. As we move through the final regulatory steps for Stage 1 and prepare for implementation, your voice matters.

What to expect

The webinar will be presented by Dr Melanie Dorrington, Chief GP and Primary Care Advisor, and Dr Anthony Cidoni, Chief Psychiatrist. They will discuss the following:

1. Continuation Prescribing Changes

This section will outline how GPs will be able to continue prescribing psychostimulants for stable patients already diagnosed with ADHD in the ACT, without requiring review by a non-GP specialist.
We will provide information on:

• Required training
• How GPs can register for the program
• Expected timelines

There will also be an opportunity for questions relating to this part of the program.

2. GP Diagnosis of ADHD and Initiation of Psychostimulants

This section will provide an update on the progress of allowing GPs to diagnose ADHD and initiate psychostimulant treatment for patients without a previous ADHD diagnosis in the ACT.
We welcome questions, feedback, and discussion about this aspect of the pilot.

This is a pilot because we know there is room to learn and improve during implementation. Your feedback will help us design a program that meets the needs of clinicians and the community.

Register Here

Register now to be part of the conversation and help us get this right!

This webinar is aimed at ACT GPs.