Tele-psychiatry for severe and complex cohorts across North Coast, NSW

The North Coast Telepsychiatry Program addresses the need for timely access to specialist psychiatric care for people living with severe and persistent mental health conditions across the North Coast NSW region. Many people experience long wait times, workforce shortages or geographic barriers that make it difficult to access psychiatry, particularly in rural and regional communities.

The program improves access to specialist assessment and clinical advice through telehealth while supporting coordinated care between psychiatrists, GPs, commissioned mental health services and other treating providers. It helps ensure people with complex mental health needs receive appropriate specialist support closer to home.

The North Coast Telepsychiatry Program delivers specialist psychiatric assessment and care through secure telehealth using a collaborative, multidisciplinary and person-centred model of care.

The program works alongside existing treating teams rather than replacing them. Psychiatrists provide assessment, clinical advice, treatment recommendations and care planning while working closely with GPs, commissioned mental health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other providers. Referrals are guided by the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) to ensure people are connected with care that matches their level of need.

The North Coast Telepsychiatry Program provides:

• Specialist psychiatric assessment via secure telehealth.
• Clinical intake and triage.
• Multidisciplinary care planning.
• Treatment recommendations for referring clinicians.
• Care coordination and service integration.
• Psychoeducation for consumers and carers.
• Collaboration with GPs, commissioned services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
• Outcome monitoring and continuity of care.

The North Coast Telepsychiatry Program aims to improve access to timely specialist psychiatric care for people with severe and persistent mental health needs across the North Coast NSW region.

The program seeks to reduce barriers to accessing psychiatry, strengthen collaboration between primary care and specialist mental health services, support coordinated multidisciplinary care and improve mental health outcomes. By providing specialist clinical advice and treatment recommendations, the program also aims to build the capability of local providers and ensure people receive the right care at the right time.