The Geelong GP Association and Barwon Health have formed a partnership to provide mental health nurses to General Practices under the Commonwealth funded GP Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program. Nurses are available to assist GPs with patients who have a severe mental illness. Advantages include: 1. Input to ensure the practice is fully optimising the mental health care plan, review and case conferencing item numbers. 2. Nurses have a breadth of knowledge of resources, psycho-education, therapy and counselling skills for patients, carers and family. 3. Support for patients to take medications reliably.

For referral (by GPs only) fax the GP Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter to 5222 4798.