Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services

Our priorities

Our PHN's Drug and Alcohol Needs Assessment identifies a range of Local Government Areas within the region which have populations experiencing greater levels of related harm than state and national averages.

A key priority is to identify opportunities to support more integrated responses across the Drug and Alcohol Treatment system, including:

• More treatment and support services where current access is limited, particularly pre and post residential treatment programs
• Prioritised resourcing for treatment and support for identified at risk and vulnerable populations
• Access, reach and effectiveness of existing services to address ever-increasing demand for treatment
• Increased service delivery capacity of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector in providing culturally-appropriate, holistic treatment and support.

Project ECHO: Comorbidity Support in Primary Care

Project ECHO is a free, interactive, online and evidence-based model which places healthcare providers from diverse settings in direct contact with subject matter experts, empowering them to provide best practice care for their local communities. Participation in ECHO involves a commitment to attend regular sessions at a set time, and to discuss de-identified cases with colleagues and with the expert panel.

This network aims to deliver mentoring and support for GP's, psychologists and other health professionals working with patients presenting with comorbidity in mental health and drug and alcohol. A key objective of the initiative is to build genuine professional linkages between GPs and professionals working across mental health and drugs and alcohol, to strengthen the provision of integrated and high-quality support for this cohort.

Click here for more information about Project Echo including a brief video on the Echo Model.

The following brief videos provide information about the implementation of aspects of the Project Echo model in the workplace and the healthcare environment.

Drug and Alcohol Capacity Building in Primary Care

Free GP Education - Drug and Alcohol Addiction

In order to increase the number of GPs that are skilled in supporting their patients on drug and alcohol related issues, there is a financial incentive for eligible members to undertake training with incentives ranging from no cost to a grant of $2,700, depending on the College and modules undertaken.

For more information visit RACGP and ACRRM.

The PHN partnered with the University of Newcastle and Hunter Primary Care to provide a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Capacity Building Program for primary care providers. Below are some of the initiatives developed.

Webinars

The following webinar recordings provide information and interventions to support patients presenting with drug and alcohol dependency in a primary care setting. Copies of the presentation slides can be downloaded from the resources links.

Webinar - Recorded 6 February 2018

Ask and Assess - AOD (and comorbidity) screening

Webinar – Recorded 13 March 2018

Advise and Agree- AOD (and comorbid mental health) brief intervention

Webinar – Recorded 10 April 2018

Assist - AOD (and comorbid mental health) primary care treatment (including withdrawal and pharmacotherapy)

Webinar – Recorded 8 May 2018

Arrange - when and how to refer to AOD (and mental health) services