The Psychiatric Advice and Consultation service is designed and implemented to support GPs in the EMPHN catchment and EMPHN commissioned Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service providers to manage their patients that have been identified as having, or being at risk of, mental illness. GPs receive telephone support from a psychiatrist and/or a psychiatric assessment that may include onsite or remote patient consultation between the psychiatrist and the patient, followed by a clinical discussion between the psychiatrist and the GP. The intention is for the patient to remain in the care of their GP without having to be ‘referred out’ for psychiatric input, thus creating system efficiencies, capacity building within General Practice and easing the burden on tertiary services.

• Undertake a formative process evaluation examining implementation integrity (barriers and enablers)
• GP and MH & AOD service provider experience
• The extent to which advice is embedded into practice
• How effective PACS is for the management of patients with mental health and AOD issues in primary care