Discharge planning

All sectors of the public and private mental health systems have a part to play in assisting people with a mental illness. A proportion of people in Victoria with a mental illness, particularly a severe mental illness, are treated in area mental health services (AMHS). As individuals’ needs change, they may be transferred to other health service providers. It is crucial, therefore, that adequate planning occurs at the point of transfer with the participation of the consumer and other relevant stakeholders, and that information concerning their mental health is imparted to the patient’s health care provider. This document considers the transfer of care from AMHS to general practitioners (GPs) for ongoing treatment.

Discharge planning and the development of protocols between adult area mental health services and general practitioners - May 2005 (PDF file 127KB) (Background paper)