Integrated primary mental health and addiction (IPMHA)

Primary health organisations (PHOs) and general practice teams are often the first point of contact for many people experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues.

The aim of these new services is to:

• Increase access and equity of access
• Increase choice in addressing people’s holistic concerns
• Reduce wait times for mental health and addictions support
• Improve population health and equity outcomes

This service is for anyone who is enrolled in the practice whose thoughts, feelings or actions are impacting on their health and wellbeing. There are no barriers to accessing this support, no referral criteria, no wait time, no cost to the patient and services are designed to ‘flex’ to meet the identified population health needs.

There are ‘key components’ of the service which will look similar across New Zealand. All services will be accessed via the general practice with priority given to Māori and Pacific peoples, youth and those people living in rural and remote locations. Some services may choose to use a locally relevant name for their service; however, in all cases new staff will join the practice team and become integrated within the practice. The key components of the service include:

• Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP) - an experienced and registered health clinician who will provide assessment and brief intervention therapy as needed
• Health Coach (HC) – a trained support, peer or cultural worker who will support the individual to manage their health through a range of personalised interventions
• Support Worker (SW) who will provide access to cultural and social supports within the local community
• A confident and competent general practice team
• Effective links and coordination between primary and secondary services

The IPMHA model has been adapted, piloted and provided in various regions in New Zealand since 2017. The HIP and HC work as a part of the practice team to provide brief intervention focused on strengthening self-management strategies.

Watch the video below from the Ministry of Health.

Read previous editions of Prime Time, our newsletter especially for those working in integrated primary health care roles in Aotearoa New Zealand.