Primary mental health brief intervention, counselling and psychology services (referral)

Any practice in Tairāwhiti can refer for this service. 

Youth can be referred by counsellors, teachers or guidance counsellors. 

The service offers a package of care which is four sessions over a period of 12 weeks for both counselling and psychology. 

An extension of two counselling sessions may be approved in some cases prior to discharge.  

This extension does not apply to psychology.  

There is a stand down period of six months before another referral can be accepted. 

A final report must be provided to the GP and an entry and exit K10 score. 

• Adults (20 years +) living in the Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti area and enrolled with a Tairāwhiti general practice.  
• Any youth aged 12 to 19 years old, they do not need to be enrolled with a practice. 
• Priority is given to Pacific, Māori, youth and low income. 

• Adults (20 years +) who are not enrolled with a Tairāwhiti general practice.   
• Patients who are currently receiving secondary mental health services. 
• Patients with moderate to severe mental health issues. 
• Patients who require crisis intervention. 

For the practice - once the referral has been made. 

For the contracted service - the provider offers a package of care which is four sessions over a period of 12 weeks. 

An extension of two counselling sessions may be approved in some cases prior to discharge. 

Practices are required to submit an eReferral requesting a package of care for their patient. These referrals are clinically triaged then the sessions are provided by the Pinnacle team of counsellors or, when required, third party counsellors and psychologists. 

Patients or practices cannot refer directly to the third-party providers, the referral needs to be via the Pinnacle primary mental health service to ensure the patient receives the funded service. 

Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of funding.  

It has been recommended that in addition to a good assessment and history, the full range of appropriate observations should be documented. It is important to state the time of consultations and interactions with the patient.  

Please provide K10 scores and any relevant priority criteria information i.e. Māori, Pacific, youth or low income. 

The service is funded by Te Whatu Ora.