Latrobe Health Services and Phoenix Australia, Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health are thrilled to announce a new partnership, bringing accessible resources and bulk-billed posttraumatic specialist assessment & treatment planning services to regional Victoria.
Ian Whitehead, CEO of Latrobe Health said this partnership means additional much-needed mental health services to vulnerable and regional areas of Victoria.
“Latrobe Health Services is partnering with Phoenix Australia to give back to its members and community by bolstering services for regional and remote communities who need better access to posttraumatic stress disorder services,” Mr Whitehead said.
“Together Latrobe Health Services and Phoenix Australia will be promoting increased community awareness of traumatic stress disorders across some of the most vulnerable regions of Victoria.
“Two-thirds of Australians will suffer a traumatic event each year, resulting in a range of negative mental health consequences from posttraumatic stress disorder to depression and addictive disorders. Most are never diagnosed, and those that are, often receive inappropriate care.
“The partnership provides greater health care access to regional Victorians where mental health care and assessments can require long wait periods or excessive travel to be seen,” continued Mr Whitehead.
Professor David Forbes, CEO of Phoenix Australia highlighted the importance of business organisations working together to further health initiatives within communities.
“We are thrilled to be able to partner with Latrobe Health Services and provide an available, credible and accessible bulk-billed assessment & care to those in vulnerable and affected regions of Victoria.”
“Phoenix Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and international leader in building the capability of individuals, organisations and the community to understand, prevent, reduce and recover from the adverse mental health effects of trauma,” said Mr Forbes.
Dr Rahul Khanna has designed this service to engage highly with GPs within the area to educate and inform practitioners of how to recognise and diagnose PTSD, and where to go for further information and referrals to specialised PTSD psychiatrists.
“Posttraumatic stress disorder is often misdiagnosed, and our main aim is to provide as much knowledge and education to practitioners as possible, to help grow a trauma-informed workforce with a solid understanding of issues facing the region”, said Dr Khanna.
“From diagnosis with a GP the patients will receive a 12-month shared care mental health plan to ensure care is followed through.”
To be referred to the service, please visit your GP for an initial assessment and referral. More information about the service and useful resources is available at http://www.phoenixaustralia.org/clinical-services/regional-victoria-clinic/
From left to right, Dr Rahul Khanna Psychiatrist Phoenix Australia, Ian Whitehead CEO Latrobe Health Services, Prof David Forbes CEO Phoenix Australia, Dr Greg Roebuck Psychiatrist Phoenix Australia