The first step to treatment at Sentiens is to see your General Practitioner. Your GP may or may not conduct a full mental health assessment. At Sentiens, you will recieve a thorough mental health assessment prior to treatment. A referral to Sentiens is required for all patients who wish to access mental health services.
At this time, Sentiens provides outpatient and day-treatment services. There are some cases that more intensive inpatient treatment may be required. In these instances, Sentiens Psychiatrists have admission options to local inpatient services.
In many cases, we aim to provide a comprehensive day treatment program to avoid unnecessary hospital treatment, where the person remains in their usual surroundings, provided that the situation can be dealt with adequetly.
Self referral
This is only acceptable for clinical psychology and occupational therapy services and this is to be paid for in full.
Referrals from Family and Friends
The patient must be seen by a General Practitioner or Psychiatrist for assessment and referral.
General Practitioner
Able to refer patients to either acute care programs, individual or group therapy or psycho-educational programs but an accredited psychiatrist must still be involved in the process to complete the admission.
Psychiatrists
Able to refer patients to acute care programs, individual or group therapy or psycho-educational programs
Community Mental Health centres’ and welfare agencies
All prospective patients must:
- Be seen by a General Practitioner or medical officer Medicare rebate may apply
- Patients can independently refer to psychological services, private health insurance ancillary benefits and Medicare benefits may apply
- Patients can be referred through the Extended Primary Care service for Psychological, Mental health Nursing and Occupational Therapy short term focused therapy sessions and
- Better Access to Mental Health Scheme
If you wish to access psychology services or occupational therapy, your GP must refer you to Sentiens Clinic having completed the GP Mental Health Plan so that you can claim the 12 sessions for psychological interventions under Medicare.
Referrals accepted on identified referral form, letter from clinician, fax or e-mail, any phone referrals must also follow up with written confirmation.
