Delivery of STEPMI Services in the Great South Coast Region

⁠⁠⁠People living in Western Victoria who have an enduring and persistent severe mental illness (SMI) experience worse life outcomes (including health, psychosocial, and economic) than others in the same communities. The complexity of primary and acute care systems, structural incentives in favour of episodic care, and variations in service availability, capacity and capability across the region create barriers to consistent delivery of quality care and continuity of care. These factors also make it more difficult for consumers and their natural supports (families, friends and carers) to navigate the system.

The Western Victoria model (Services and Treatment for Enduring and Persistent Mental Illness 'STEPMI') focuses on provision of primary care led treatment combinations to people with enduring and persistent SMI in the community. Across the region, it is intended to deliver equitable access to appropriate services that facilitate the coordinated and efficient provision of person-centred treatment and care.

The model is an outcomes focused model, with measurable impacts expected the following key areas:

• positive experience of care for consumers and their natural supports;
• improvement in clinical and quality of life outcomes; and
• deliver system efficiencies by reducing acute system utilisation.
• establish pathways and resources that enable smooth transition between primary care and acute mental health services for people with severe and complex mental illness;
• embed physical health care into the treatment of people with severe and complex mental illness in accordance with the 'Equally Well Consensus'

The rationale for the STEPMI model, the intervention proposed and the outcomes expected are summarised in Figure 2 (see page 27).
Western Victoria PHN will procure a service provider to deliver Services and Treatment for Enduring and Persistent Mental Illness (STEPMI) service within the Great South Coast sub-region in accordance with a PHN service agreement. The PHN shall monitor the Service Provider's performance and compliance with the service agreement.