Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) invites Tender Responses for the provision of the Care Navigators Program (Services) in accordance with the requirements of this Request for Tender (RFT).

Background

Recent data from the DoHAC funded MedicineInsight program reveals that patients with depression and anxiety visit GPs significantly more often than the average patient, with depression and anxiety presenting at 8.9 and 8.5 encounters per patient, respectively. Mental health presentations are common, with anxiety and depression among the top recorded conditions in GP encounters for 2020–21. Although these needs are prevalent, 72% of GPs find mental health consultations more time-consuming and challenging, indicating a need for more support in this area.

Recommendations for improving mental health services include enabling better service navigation and understanding of available supports, as emphasised by both the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and the Productivity Commission's reports. The establishment of new mental health services and facilities, alongside enhanced integration and access to care, are critical to addressing these challenges and providing timely, appropriate care.

The Mental Health Deed requires that EMPHN provide mental health services aimed at assisting community members facing mental health challenges. These services should be complementary, addressing gaps without overlapping with current offerings. However, the Victorian government's introduction of Adult Locals may result in service duplication within the existing Stepped Care Model.

Most patients with mental health issues see their GP for support and care however there is a plethora of information and services for GPs to navigate. This coupled with time constraints, make it difficult for GPs to provide optimal care for consumers with mental health issues, and more support is required. The Care Navigators Program seeks to provide GPs with more support to care for patients with severe mental health issues and improve their outcomes.

Objectives

· Improve patient care and experiences by delivering behavioural change interventions to up to 60 general practices by December 2025

· Increase management of patients with severe mental health conditions within primary care setting in the EMPHN catchment

· Increase number of GPs who feel supported to manage patients with mental health conditions

The Care Navigators Program seeks to provide GPs with more support to care for patients with severe mental health conditions.

Specifically, EMPHN is seeking Provider(s) to deliver the following responses:

a) Recruitment, training, and clinical governance and supervision of Care Navigators

b) Establishment of the Care Navigators Program to provide motivational interviewing, resources and community referrals for consumers, families and carers, health professionals and service providers in the EMPHN catchment

c) Service integration into general practice as part of the professional team as a whole and in the wider community as an accessible service

d) Development of a marketing campaign of the Care Navigators Program, in collaboration with EMPHN

Only Tenderers who meet the Due diligence requirements and Mandatory criteria set by EMPHN will have their Tender Responses evaluated.

Please ensure you read all parts of the RFT to understand the process for lodging a response.