Access to Allied Psychological Services Project (ATAPS)

ATAPS is a component of the Better Outcomes to Mental Health Care Initiative. This program offers a referral pathway for GPs to support patients with mental health disorders who are unable to afford these services privately. ATAPS is designed to improve health outcomes.

Eastern Sydney Divisions of General Practice has been allocated funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to manage this program. All ESDGP GPs are eligible to refer patients to psychologists endorsed by the Division. GPs access services by making a telephone call to the Division or alternatively email the name of the patient and psychologist to Alana Kohn at ataps@esdgp.org.au

 Patients with mild to moderate presentations of the following disorders may be eligible:

• Alcohol use disorders
• Phobic disorders
• Generalized anxiety
• Adjustment disorder
• Unexplained somatic complaints
• Eating disorders
• Sexual disorders
• Conduct disorder
• Bereavement disorders
• Drug use disorders
• Depression
• Panic disorder
• Mixed anxiety and depression
• Dissociative (conversion) disorder
• Neurasthenia
• Sleep problems
• Hyperkinetic (attention deficit)
• Enuresis
• Mental disorder, not otherwise specified

(Note: dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and mental retardation are excluded from treatment under this service)

Psychological strategies which may be provided include:

• Psycho-education
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
• Relaxation strategies
• Skills training
• Interpersonal therapy

Following the first and sixth session of therapy the psychologist will invoice the Division at a rate of $109.90 per session plus GST=$120 GST inclusive. Upon review by the GP a further six sessions may be authorized by contacting the Division. The charging of a patient co-payment is discouraged, however, in the event of a co-payment it may not exceed $30. Eastern Sydney Division of General Practice will not undertake any negotiation or administration for such co-payments.

The Division will pay for one missed appointment (per client). This is ONLY if the appointment is the initial consultation, and the client has cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment.

Documentation

	Fax Number for the Eastern Sydney Division is  02 9387 4175  02 9387 4175
	Patient information sheet ATAPS 08-09
	AHP Feedback Form ATAPS 08-09 (Completed by Psychologist and faxed to Division)
	AHP Report to GP ATAPS 08-09 (Completed by Psychologist and returned to referring GP)
	Purchase Order for AHP Service ATAPS 08-09 (Completed by Psychologist and faxed to Division)
	Purchase Order for AHP Service ATAPS NGR 08-09(Completed by Psychologist and faxed to Division)
	Patient Data collection form for GP (Completed by GP and fax to Division)
	List of ESDGP ATAPS Psychologists (Please call the Division)

To refer a patient to a psychologist registered under this program you will need to contact the Division to receive a "UI"(Unique Identifier) for your patient. This number is used to authorise payment for the session. No personal details of patients are faxed to the Division. Demographics are needed however, and the GP is therefore required to complete the Patient Data Collection form upon referral and fax to the Division soon after receiving a UI.

The patient is also required to fill in either a DASS 21 or a K10 form. The form must be retained by the GP but the score is sent to the Psychologist at the first referral prior to commencing their psychological therapy and at the completion of the 6 sessions.

If your patient speaks English or has English as a second language, the  K10 form is available in 16 languages at at the Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC).
www.dhi.gov.au/tmhc/

The patient eligibility, disorder types, referral processes and reporting requirements are designed to ensure the project complies with prevention and early intervention principles outlined by the Australian Government – Department of Health and Ageing and that the project is sustainable and continues to attract funding and support.

Contact

For further information about ATAPS or to apply contact us:
Tel:  02 9389 0874  02 9389 0874 , ext 204.