Booked Assessment Clinic (BAC) at GP Plus Marion

The Booked Assessment Clinic (BAC) is a ‘one-off’ MBS Item 291 opinion and report service for people with a defined or suspected mental health disorder, (16-65 yo) residing in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.

291 assessments are not equivalent to bulk-billing psychiatrist care. It is a one off-assessment, and intended in cases where only a single assessment is indicated to help develop a plan for the GP for ongoing treatment.

There is provision for the psychiatrist to review the opinion and report previously prepared by them, within the 12 month period (MBS item 293).

Service provided

The Booked Assessment Clinic aims to provide a high quality, comprehensive and timely booked psychiatric assessment and management plan for non-urgent mental health referrals. Assessments are conducted by Consultant Psychiatrists.

The aim is for referrals to be seen within a 4 - 6 week period, however this will depend on the volume of referrals the clinic receives as well as the requirements of each referral.

Please allow two weeks for the processing and posting of assessment letters from the day of appointment before any follow-up appointment with your patient.

  • Inclusion criteria – The referral must fit ALL of the following
    • Referral for people with a defined or suspected mental health disorder, age 16-65, residing in the southern suburbs of Adelaide
    • Referrer will be responsible for continuing care of the patient
    • A one-off assessment and management plan is appropriate support for the care of your patient
  • Exclusion criteria – The referral must NOT be for
    • Assessment for 3rd party, court forms / reports, housing or Centrelink forms, determining fit parenting
    • Attention Deficit disorder
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder / Asperger’s syndrome
    • Intellectual disability
    • Crisis situation

If the inclusion / exclusion criteria are not met, please consider referring to a private psychiatrist or using the Mental Health GP Shared Care page, a directory of mental health service details, information and resources to better support GPs in the shared care of mental health patients. This includes clinical support resources such as the GP Psychiatry Support line where psychiatrists answer your queries Monday to Friday (except public holidays), 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (Phone: 1800 161 718). Alternatively, there is an option to book a call back from a psychiatrist at a chosen date and time on the GP Psychiatry Support website.

If in a crisis, an emergency situation or if the risk assessment is high, please contact Mental Health Triage (MHT) on telephone no: 13 14 65 (24 hour, 7 day service), as well as for advice on referring to a Community Mental health team and if appropriate.

Sites

Assessments are conducted at Marion GP Plus, 10 Milham Street Oaklands Park SA 5046. Margaret Tobin Centre, Flinders Medical Centre and some limited appointments at Noarlunga GP plus.

Referral information

Medicare’s criteria for billing an item 291, specifies that any prospective client must be referred by a General Practitioner only.

Information that must be provided

  • The GP must state that the referral is for an opinion and report (or item 291) on the referral form. We have a referral form available to assist with providing the required information.
  • Inclusion criteria - Confirmation that the referral fits all of the following:
    • Referral for people with a defined or suspected mental health disorder, age 16-65, residing in the southern suburbs of Adelaide
    • Referrer will be responsible for continuing care of the patient
    • A one-off assessment and management plan is appropriate support for the care of your patient
  • Exclusion criteria – Confirmation that the referral is NOT for:
    • Assessment for 3rd party, court forms / reports, housing or Centrelink forms, determining fit parenting
    • Attention Deficit disorder
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder / Asperger’s syndrome
    • Intellectual disability
    • Crisis situation
  • Risk assessment - low, moderate, high (only low – moderate risk is appropriate for assessment at the BAC. It is helpful for the triaging clinician if you include what the risk relates to. If no level of risk is selected, this may cause a delay in scheduling an appointment)
  • Reason for referral
  • Past medical history (mental and physical), including any relevant family, social or forensic history
  • Medications
  • Employment

Provide if available

  • Copy of GP Mental Health Plan (Item 2710 /2702)

Referral form

Contact details

Location: Milham Street Oaklands Park SA 5046
Phone: (08) 7425 8505 - 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Fax: (08) 7425 8608

If your situation is an emergency, please contact Mental Health Triage (MHT) on telephone 13 14 65.

MHT is a 24 hour, 7 days a week service.