Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health

On 23 March, the Minister for Health announced the establishment of the Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health (the Advisory Panel)

Page last updated: 27 February 2019

PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health Reports

The PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health produced two reports – the first is the ‘Reform and System Transformation: A Five Year Horizon for PHNs’ which was distributed to PHNs on the 4th January 2019 and the second is ‘The report of the PHN Advisory Panel on Mental Health’ which was released on 27 February 2019.

About the Panel

On 23 March, the Minister for Health announced the establishment of the Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health (the Advisory Panel). The advisory Panel will serve five main functions:

  1. To consider and provide advice regarding the guidelines for mental health commissioning issued to the 31 PHNs and oversee the development of a Framework for Primary Health Network mental health commissioning, noting that commissioning is a cyclical process of local consultation, local design and local solutions.
  2. To oversee an analysis of the 2016/17 Department of Health-approved needs assessments and mental health plans developed by the 31 PHNs.
  3. Following the analysis, provide advice to the Minister for Health on strategies to support the 31 PHNs to efficiently and effectively carry out their commissioning responsibilities in mental health.
  4. Provide recommendations to the Minister for Health about the optimal system architecture and arrangements for supporting the role of PHNs in ongoing mental health reform.
  5. Provide guidance for peak bodies and Colleges on how their members can engage with the PHN commissioning process.

Media Release - Turnbull Government appoints new mental health advisory panel

Members

Name Organisation Role
Frank Quinlan Mental Health Australia Co-Chair
Dr Peggy Brown National Mental Health Commission Co-Chair
Vahid Saberi North Coast NSW Primary Health Network Committee member
Abbe Anderson Brisbane North Primary Health Network Committee member
Learne Durrington WA Primary Health Alliance Committee member
Jackie Crowe National Mental Health Commission Advisory Board Committee member
Lucy Brogden National Mental Health Commission Advisory Board Committee member
Samuel Hockey Youth lived experience Committee member
Lyn English National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum Committee member
Amanda Bresnan Community Mental Health Australia Committee member
Professor Lyn Littlefield Australian Psychological Society Committee member
Associate Professor Kim Ryan College of Mental Health Nurses Committee member
Dr Kym Jenkins Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Committee member
Professor Pat McGorry The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Committee member
Dr Morton Rawlin Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Committee member
Dr Mark Wenitong Indigenous and remote health Committee member

Background

The Advisory Panel on Mental Health will be time-limited. It will hold four meetings and conduct two PHN Forums.  It will be assisted by independent consultants to:

  1. develop a Framework for Primary Health Network mental health commissioning informed by the analysis of the guidelines for mental health commissioning
  2. undertake an analysis of needs assessments and mental health plans
  3. compile reports for individual PHNs based on the Framework
  4. compile an interim aggregate report in relation to PHN mental health commissioning and a final report for the Minister for Health. 

Consultants will also assist with preparation of papers where necessary and provide independent facilitation for the two PHN forums.

Forum One

Purpose:

  • Bring together PHNs, sector representatives, consumers and carers and experts to consider PHN mental health planning and commissioning
  • Understand PHN mental health reform process to date – key milestones and deliverables, minimum data set, outcome measurement, and evaluation processes
  • Examine existing guidelines for PHN mental health commissioning
  • Inform development of an agreed Framework for Primary Health Network mental health commissioning that outlines what is required by when for both lead and non-lead PHN sites
Tentative Date: Friday 22 September 2017 in Brisbane
Venue: TBA
Agenda: TBA

Communiqué

Meeting Number 1 – Friday 23th June

Resoures

Terms of Reference

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