GP Clinic: promoting access to primary health care for mental health service clients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an innovative rural service offering comprehensive primary health care for mental health service clients.


METHODS
A formative evaluation using mixed methods.


METHODS
A rural NSW community.


METHODS
Fifteen health care providers and 120 adult clients.


METHODS
A monthly clinic held in a general practice to provide primary health care for clients of the community mental health team.


METHODS
Client utilisation and clinic activity data. Provider views of service effectiveness, possible improvements and sustainability.


RESULTS
The GP Clinic has operated successfully for 2.5 years without access block. Some 52% of clients had no physical illness and 82% were referred to other health and community services. In total, 40% continued to attend the clinic while 32% went on to consult a GP independently. Client access to care improved as did collaboration between the community mental health team and primary care providers.


CONCLUSIONS
The GP Clinic is a straightforward and flexible service model that could be used more widely.
Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, University of Sydney, Corrindah Court, Broken Hill, NSW 2880, Australia.
David
D
Perkins
Meg
M
Hamilton
Emily
E
Saurman
Teresa
T
Luland
Charles
C
Alpren
David
D
Lyle
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult