PICS
Primary Integrated Care Supports (PICS) Mental Health Nurses and Peer Workers provide evidence based clinical mental health services, links to health and psychosocial supports. We work alongside clients in primary health care settings and the community, to meet the needs of people who experience severe and enduring mental health concerns living in the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) region.
The role of the Mental Health Nurse is to provide clinical care and coordination. Nurses develop collaborative care plans with other providers, including GPs and psychiatrists, with family and carers, other health and community services, and PICS Peer Workers. Mental Health Nurses support clients with reviewing mental health and wellbeing, supporting self-management of mental and physical health, monitoring compliance with medication and developing links with their community. PICS Peer Workers provide recovery-oriented, strengths-based support to access community and health services, engage with their community and achieve their psychosocial goals. PICS is a person-centered service. This provides the flexibility to support people to access the supports and services they need, so when they are discharged to the care of their GP, they stay well living in the community. PICS, above all, support developing therapeutic and psychosocially supportive relationships with PICS clients and their support network.
Who is eligible?
PICS is a free service for people in Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network that integrates mental health services with general practices.
To be eligible consumers need to:
- Be aged between 18 and 65 years.
- Live in the CESPHN region.
- Experience severe mental illness as evidenced by meeting 3 of the 4 criteria:
- Have a diagnosed mental illness which is severe and either episodic or persistent in nature (according to the criteria defined in the World Health Organisation Diagnostic and Management Guidelines for Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care: ICD 10 Chapter V Primary Care Version, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders – Fifth Edition DSM-5).
- The mental illness significantly impacts at least two areas of the client’s social, personal and/or occupational functioning.
- The mental illness has resulted in hospital treatment in the previous two years.
- The client is expected to need ongoing treatment and management of their mental illness (for a maximum of two years).
- Benefit from accessing primary care mental health services.
- Are not currently receiving clinical care and coordination support through the Local Health District Community Mental Health Services.
- Do not have a duplication of service through the NDIS or other programs.
NB: Referrer must ensure there is no duplication of services if the client is accessing a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) package.
All referrals submitted online through the CESPHN central intake are reviewed to ensure eligibility and allocation to One Door Mental Health. Referrers will be contacted to let them know when a PICS mental health nurse will be in contact with them to progress their referral. On average, the referral will take 8 working days.
Find a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse
Contact us
Email
pics@onedoor.org.au
Phone
02 7227 6700
PICS is funded by the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN. The Primary Health Networks Program is an Australian Government Initiative.