IAR-DST aims to build a common language relating to mental health services or treatments an individual might require
The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) is a national initiative from the Department of Health on establishing effective systems for the initial assessment and referral of individuals presenting with mental health conditions in primary health care settings. Each PHN has an IAR Training and Support Officer to provide training to General Practitioners and clinicians in their catchment to learn about, use and embed the IAR Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) into clinical practice.
Guided by clinicians’ own assessment and clinical judgement, the IAR-DST provides a consistent framework to deliberate decisions when matching a person’s mental health needs with the right level of service intensity, at the right time. National widespread use of the IAR-DST aims to build a common language across the mental health sector about treatment needs based on the person-centred and evidence-based stepped care approach.
1. Consistent and transparent referrals
The IAR-DST provides a standardised framework for referrers to communicate assessment and referral information consistently, and articulate treatment needs using a language commonly understood across the sector. Widespread use of the IAR-DST improves awareness and transparency of how decisions about the appropriateness of referrals are made.
2. Improved patient outcomes
Effective communication of a consumer’s circumstances will ensure that they are matched to the most appropriate service for their needs, minimise the risks and liabilities associated with under-estimating a person’s treatment needs. Moreover, this can reduce frustration and save time in managing rejected referrals, meaning more patients receive the right care at the right time.
3. Supported decision making
Referrers can use the tool to guide the discussion about treatment options with consumers, with the flexibility to adjust treatment needs in response to changes in their circumstances Studies have shown that when consumers are involved in the decision process, they are empowered and more likely to adhere to care.
4. Streamlined referral process
Integration of the IAR-DST within existing primary systems and mapping of available services to each level of care will streamline decision-making processes and reduce overall administrative load
Eight holistic domains
The IAR-DST is used to alongside a usual mental health assessment to gather information from the consumer. The tool considers 8 holistic domains that are important for referral decision making in mental health, including:
Access the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool
For most Australians, a general practice is the first port of call when they access Australian’s healthcare system, and their general practitioner (GP) is usually the first person they consult about their mental health care. In 2020-21, almost 13% of Australians aged 16-85 saw a GP for their mental health. In 2019-20, approximately 30% of Medicare-subsidised services specific to mental health were provided by GPs.
In a recent report, GPs reported – for the sixth consecutive year- that psychological conditions (including sleep disturbance and depression) were the most commonly reported reasons for patient presentations. This is why GPs would benefit from skills and knowledge to identify and address patient’s mental health needs.
A $300 once-off incentive payment is available per GP and 2 CPD Hours apply
Payment is available to GPs, GP Registrars, and those currently undertaking GP Observership. Payment is not available to other medical staff, clinicians or GPs working in Adult Mental Health Centres or Aboriginal Medical Services already funded by the Government.
Two hours of training is available to assist GPs and Registrars in implementing the IAR tool into their daily practice.
Workshop 1
This national online webinar runs for 30-minutes and is a pre-requisite for enrolment in Workshop Two.
Workshop 2
This 90-minute workshop can be held at your general practice or online. Workshop 1 must be completed within six-months prior to undertaking this workshop.
The format of Option 2 workshops is like Option 1. This workshop can be held at your general practice or online.
IAR for Mental Healthcare delivered by Jenni Campbell (National Project Manager). It is a 2.5 hour workshop delivered online on a weekly basis. To register for this option, click here.
Workshops will be delivered at your practice or via Webex. Minumum of three participants required. You can choose to attend a full two hour session or two one hour sessions. Workshop is not confirmed until you have received an email confirmation from the trainer.
For more information contact iar@countrysaphn.com.au
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is IAR-DST? | The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) is an initiative by the Department of Health on establishing effective systems for the initial assessment and referral of individuals presenting with mental health conditions in primary health care settings. You can view the Guidance of this initiative here. The IAR Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST or DST) is a decision support aid to assist clinicians in matching a person's mental health treatment needs with the right level of service intensity, which you can view here: https://iar-dst.online/#/ |
| How long does the IAR-DST take to complete? | Following a comprehensive mental health assessment, filling out the IAR-DST takes approximately 2-3 minutes for frequent users and 5-10 minutes for infrequent users. |
| Who can do the training? | We welcome everyone from the mental health workforce to attend the training and learn about IAR. Specific guidance on which clinician groups should complete the initial assessment and how to engage peer workers, youth workers, and workers trained in the delivery of low intensity services to undertake components of the initial assessment is outlined on page 20 of the Guidance, which can be found here. |
| Should our team do the training together? | Some organisations may prefer to complete the training as a team or service to learn together, while others may prefer to register for training alongside other organisations in the open-registration sessions. |
| What do you receive after the training? | Following completion of the training, you will receive: · Certificate of attendance (please note, you must participate in the full 2-hour workshop to receive a certificate of attendance) · Continued support from the IAR-DST Training Support Officer · Access to multi-disciplinary Communities of Practice to support clinicians post-training · Key resources and helpful links relevant to IAR-DST. |
Tuesday 5 March 2024
Jeremy, Roy, Eddy and Fabian proudly showing off the new defibrillators for PLAHs.
Friday 23 February 2024
Rural Health innovation Fund Coordinator Trudi Penrose-Starr met with one of the RHIF grant recipients, The Barunga Village in Kadina to see their excellent Stepping On program in action. It was wonderful to hear directly from the participants how informative and beneficial this program is to them and to witness the fantastic community connections and friendships they have made from attending the classes.
Tuesday 23 January 2024
Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) Coordinator Trudi, drove out to Hawker to meet with the Hawker Community Development Board and Community Gym a true display of fabulous collaborative community spirit driven by amazing people.
Tuesday 14 November 2023
Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator (RHIF) Trudi met the amazing team at Riverland Youth Theatre including their Board members and the young thespians.
Thursday 9 November 2023
Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator (RHIF) Trudi was in Whyalla to meet with the inspiring members of the Whyalla Men's Shed.
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) Coordinator Trudi met with wonderful Grant recipients from Side by Side Mateship and Our Town Ceduna to learn all about their planning for the men’s mental fitness event making a much needed difference for their community.
Easy Moves Exercise Class - 27 September 2023
Trudi Penrose-Starr, RHIF Coordinator had the absolute privilege of meeting the amazing Easy Moves Exercise Class facilitated by the wonderful Jo Minks.
YP Field Days 2023 at Paskeville - 26 September to 28 September 2023
Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator Trudi Penrose-Starr had the pleasure of catching up with Diabetes SA at the Yorke Peninsula (Paskeville) Field Day.
Activate event held at AFL Max on Monday 18 September 2023
Meet and Greet with Diabetes SA - Thursday 7 September 2023
RHIF is very proud to be funding the Diabetes SA Type 2 Diabetes awareness and screening program held at the 2023 Paskeville Field Day.
Ceduna mates stand side-by-side
Close to 100 men attended Ceduna Foreshore Hotel o Staurday, March 16 to invest in their mental health.
Body image in the spotlight
Young leaders from the Limestone Coast region will learn how to move, nourish, appreciate and be kind to their bodies when the high-energy youth event ACTIVATE by Embrace comes to Mount Gambier on Tuesday, March 19.
Stand Close to Your Mates
A chance to help out your mate or know that somebody is there to care for you is at the centre of a community event to be hosted in Ceduna next month.
Exercise grant hard at work
Country SA PHN Rural Health Innovation Fund co-ordinator Trudi Penrose-Starr joined the Port Vincent exercise class at the town institute on Wednesday, September 27.
Exercise class meet up
On Wednesday 27 September Trudi Penrose-Starr, Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator with Country SA PHN joined the Port Vincent exercise class at the Port Vincent Institute.
Project responds to 'community need'
Our Town Ceduna/Far West is among the successful grant recipients from the Rural Health Innovtion Fund. The fund facilitated by Country SA PHN, has awarded grants to nine organisations across the state.
Port Vincent Progress Association Community health and wellbeing initiatives
The Port Vincent Progress Association is thrilled their Rural Health Innovation Fund grant will enable them to continue their community exercise classes for free and buy new equipment.
Locals receive health innovation grants
Yorke Peninsula organisations and events are amongst the inaugural recipients of Country SA PHN's Rural Health Innovation Fund. The fund was officially launched in December 2022 to provide grants for community-led programs.
Upgrades and fund for health
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service (PLAHS) has received a community grant from Rural Health Innovation Fund to go towards the Heart safety First community awareness campaign and purchase of cruicial medical equipment.
New country South Australian Charitable Fund offers Community Grants to enhance health and wellbeing.
A new South Australian charity – the Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) – is offering exciting opportunities to enhance and support country South Australian’s health and wellbeing.
New country South Australian Charitable Fund announces Community Grant Recipients
The Rural Health Innovation Fund (RHIF) has been overwhelmed with the level of interest and the breadth and ideas in the applications received.
APPLICATIONS are now open for grants through the newly established Rural Health Innovation Fund.
The fund is a standalone charity established by the Country SA PHN, and aims to provide funding opportunities for community-led programs in health and wellbeing initiatives.
Rural Health Innovation Fund provides one-off funding for community based programs targeted at innovative projects and initiatives that support quality health outcomes for people living in country South Australia.
Rural Health Innovation Fund enables grant recipients to drive health care improvements (outcomes and experience) for people living in country areas, through projects and initiatives that are effective, efficient, sustainable and in support of equitable access to care.
Services/activities must be delivered within the geographical boundaries aligned with Country SA PHN.
The Rural Health Innovation Fund Grant proposal must be:
Who can apply?
To be eligible you must:
Key dates and timings
The timeline is provided as a guide only and Rural Health Innovation Fund reserves the right to make alterations.
The Total Funding Pool for Round Two
Applicants can apply for a portion of the total funding pool relevant to their project.
Recognising the diverse health and wellbeing needs of country South Australian’s, Rural Health Innovaton Fund strives to create positive change and provide a unique opportunity to support communities achieve their goals.
All applications will be acknowledged in writing.
It is at the discretion of Rural Health Innovation Fund to award funds to one, multiple or no organisations.
For further information on the Rural Health Innovation Fund Grants, please contact the Fund Coordinator.
Rural Health Innovation Fund Coordinator
Rural Health Innovation Fund would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia and pay respects to the Elders past present and future. We recognise and respect the unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas, which continue to be important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living today.
Country SA PHN does not provide direct crisis services. If you or someone you know needs more urgent care, please call one of the services below:
A free nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who are affected by suicide
A 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for people 16 years and older living or working in regional South Australia.
Online and 24/7 telephone service that provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
A free and confidential telephone and online service that supports young people aged 12-25 and their families going through a tough time, 7 days a week.
A free, private and confidential 24/7 telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
Online, 24/7 telephone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention service that provides counselling, information and referrals to all Australians experiencing a personal crisis.
Entry point for people experiencing emotional distress, provides advice, guidance and referral to the local mental health service or support that is right for you.
A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.
Postvention or traumatic incident support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Thirrili works with Local Elders, community and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations to ensure a community response is put in place to support individuals and families.
StandBy is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing free face-to face and/or telephone support for anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide at any stage in their life, including, Individuals, families, and friends; witnesses; first responders; and service providers
Free confidential mental health support for emergency service workers and volunteers including those retired.
Access up to 12 sessions free of charge via telehealth, no referral, Medicare or GP information required.
7-165 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
A safe and welcoming space to talk to someone if you, or someone you care about, are in distress, or need help finding the right support to meet your needs.
1 Blanche Street, Clare
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
A place to go for help when crisis looms and things get to be too much. Access to a volunteer-based community centre for easy, approachable, non-clinical face to face counselling with a trained professional.
79 Esmond Road, Port Pirie
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
A place to go for help when crisis looms and things get to be too much. Access to a volunteer-based community centre for easy, approachable, non-clinical face to face counselling with a trained professional.
Got a question? We’re here to help.
Call 1800 595 212 for free mental health advice and support or visit your nearest Head to Health centre or Pop Up clinic.To find your nearest centre or clinic click the link https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/head-to-health-services
The Charter is a resource and uniting document to guide the way people in mental health and suicide prevention sectors, government, business and community members talk about mental ill-health and suicide.
Country SA PHN is a proud signatory to The Charter and Chez Curnow – Executive Manager Mental Health and AOD Strategy is one of The Life In Mind National Communications Charter Champions.
Click here to access further information about The Charter https://lifeinmind.org.au/the-charter
The language we use to talk about suicide and mental illness can contribute to stigma and alienate members of the community. The Charter has developed a number of tools in the form of a series of language guides to support individuals, workplaces and communities. To access the language guides for Mental Illness and Suicide click here.
Life in Mind have a collection of suicide prevention resources for people in the suicide prevention sector, as well as those working in mental health, government, business and community groups, such as:
For more resources go to the Life in Mind website https://lifeinmind.org.au/programs-resources/resources
Conversations Matter is a practical online resource to support safe and effective community discussions about suicide. Click here to access resources https://conversationsmatter.org.au/
When communicating about suicide it’s important to remember that suicide is a complex issue and is often not preceded by a single event or condition. To access information about what to be mindful of when communicating about suicide click here https://mindframe.org.au/suicide/communicating-about-suicide
StandBy is accessible seven days a week, providing free face-to face and/or telephone support at a time and place that is best for each individual.
The program offers coordinated evidence-based support and resources (including connections to local services and groups) that is individualised for each person’s unique circumstance. This support is continued for up to two years to ensure those that engage with StandBy are not alone and receive ongoing support.
Three steps anyone can learn to
help prevent suicide.
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer – the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR training will provide you with:
If you live in Country South Australia you can access the training using the code CSA
For any enquiries regarding the training please contact Hayley Colyer to obtain a licence free of charge.
Got a question about QPR? We’re here to help.
Question Persuade and Refer (QPR) is an evidence-based training which provides:
The self-paced session takes 60-90 minutes on average to complete and does not need to be completed in a single sitting – you can take as long as you like and take a break as need.
QPR online covers the following content:
QPR online licences can be accessed by contacting Hayley Colyer hcolyer@countrysaphn.com.au.
You will then be provided with:
If you are having difficulties logging into your account, please contact hcolyer@countrysaphn.com.au.
All you need to complete QPR online is your username/password and access to a computer or mobile device with internet connection.
At all times during the QPR online training there will be a Need Help option which will refer the participant to support lines.
Community suicide prevention training aims to teach individuals the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. QPR training is not recommended for individuals recently bereaved by suicide, as it is not a therapy or support group, rather an education session to learn how to support others.
If you or someone you know is in need of more urgent care, please contact:
Three steps anyone can learn to
help prevent suicide.
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer – the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR training will provide you with:
If you live in Country South Australia you can access the training free using the code CSA
For any enquiries regarding the training please contact Hayley Colyer to obtain a
licence free of charge.
Got a question about QPR? We’re here to help.
Question Persuade and Refer (QPR) is an evidence-based training which provides:
The self-paced session takes 60-90 minutes on average to complete and does not need to be completed in a single sitting – you can take as long as you like and take a break as need.
QPR online covers the following content:
QPR online licences can be accessed by contacting Hayley Colyer hcolyer@countrysaphn.com.au.
You will then be provided with:
If you are having difficulties logging into your account, please contact hcolyer@countrysaphn.com.au.
All you need to complete QPR online is your username/password and access to a computer or mobile device with internet connection.
At all times during the QPR online training there will be a Need Help option which will refer the participant to support lines.
Community suicide prevention training aims to teach individuals the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. QPR training is not recommended for individuals recently bereaved by suicide, as it is not a therapy or support group, rather an education session to learn how to support others.
If you or someone you know is in need of more urgent care, please contact:
Connecting Older Australians to Aged Care Services
The aged care system is complex, with some people finding it more difficult than others to navigate and access the services they need. While My Aged Care is the starting point to find out about and access aged care services, there have long been calls for more localised and face-to-face support.
The Care Finder program was announced in the 2021-22 Budget as part of the Government's response to the Aged Care Royal Commission recommendations and will be delivered through PHNs.
The services are expected to be delivered from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2025.
In line with the Care Finder Policy Guidance provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Country SA PHN has commissioned care finder services in its region.
The service providers are, Country & Outback Health (working with FocusOne Health, iREACH Rural Health and Summit Health). They will be working with people who are eligible for aged care services but who require intensive in person support to do so. Referrals will not be required to access the service.
Older persons will access the services either through Care Finder organisations connecting with them via their trusted community networks or older people contacting Care Finders directly.
Resthaven and Centacare Catholic Country SA are also joining the Care Finder network. These organisations previously have a long-standing expertise in a navigation role for very vulnerable people. They will focus on assisting older people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Service providers will establish, deliver and maintain a network to provide specialist and intensive assistance to support older people. The program will specifically connect and engage older people who have significant difficulty accessing aged care services themselves and are at risk of otherwise “falling through the cracks”.
This will include:
Care Finder program will seek to improve aged care connections for vulnerable older people. Anticipated outcomes include:
Access timely patient information
My Health Record is a secure online summary of an individual’s health information and is available to all Australians. Healthcare providers authorised by their healthcare organisation can access My Health Record to view and add patient health information.
Through the My Health Record system you can access timely information about your patients such as shared health summaries, discharge summaries, prescription and dispense records, pathology reports and diagnostic imaging reports.
Country SA PHN has been actively supporting healthcare providers in country South Australia to connect to, upload and utilise My Health Record since its inception in 2012.
Most of the health information being uploaded to My Health Record is loading passively through other systems such as MBS, PBS and the AIR. Shared Health Summaries and Event Summaries can be uploaded by a patients regular GP, as well as patients themselves can manually add information to their own My Health Record.
Benefits of having a My Health Record
Your important healthcare information can be available in one place online that is easily accessible by your authorised doctors, specialists, or hospitals.
Even if you move or travel interstate, the information can be viewed securely online, anywhere, any time.
If you want, you can access your health information from any computer with an internet connection. You control who can see it. Once it’s set up you don’t need to do anything.
You won’t need to worry about having to remember and repeat your health history like medicines, details of chronic conditions, and dates of recent tests with different or new healthcare providers. The same goes for your children’s health history like immunisations and medical tests.
We respect your privacy.
To create a My Health Record, we will collect information about you and your children from Medicare and some other government bodies including your name, date of birth, and Medicare records from the last two years.
Registered healthcare provider organisations such as general practices and hospitals will be able to access your My Health Record when providing healthcare to you.
You can set access controls to restrict which healthcare providers can see your health information.
We don’t disclose your information to anyone else, unless required or permitted by law.
More information can be found at www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/privacy.
If you choose to you can control who sees what information in your My Health Record.
There are strict rules and regulations on who can see or use your My Health Record to protect your health information from misuse or loss. There are penalties for anyone who breaks these.
In a medical emergency, healthcare providers connected to the My Health Record system can see your health information to provide you the best possible care quickly.
If you want, you can list any allergies, adverse reactions and medical conditions you may have to help healthcare providers give you better advice and treatment.
What is included in your My Health Record?
You can also customise access to your My Health Record by setting access controls including restricting who can see your information, or cancel your record, at any time.
Access My Health Record online
