Wellness Support improves Mental Health care for our Counties patients

In 2018 Counties Manukau Health introduced the Wellness Support programme; a new approach to providing primary mental health care in general practices which is based on the principles of kind, clear, continuous and effective care for patients.

We are pleased to announce that 100% of our Alliance Health+ CMDHB practices are now up and running with the Wellness Support programme! A huge THANK YOU to everyone involved with the transition.

The programme offers improved access for patients with mild to moderate presentations and those under the age of 18 years, with free mental health support including extended 30 minute GP or Nurse consults. Prior to the introduction of Wellness Support, patients only had access to funded mental health care in general practices if they were diagnosed with depression and were over 18 years of age.

In its first year, Wellness Support has reached in excess of 4,300 enrolled people and provided more than 10,000 consultations. The programme supports a team approach, and nurse consults have more than tripled from the previous CCM Depression programme. Our AH+ nurses are providing 17% of interventions/sessions, well above the DHB average of 9%.

“Across all ethnicities more behavioural activation (e.g. sleep hygiene and activity scheduling) is being provided than medication; the model is supporting a high number of Maaori and Asian people and Alliance Health + has the highest proportion of nurse consults and phone reviews across the district” – Pam Hewlett, Portfolio Manager Mental Health and Addictions, CMDHB