Dr Angelene Chester.
Camera IconDr Angelene Chester. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Wellness North Afterhours pilots psychiatric care project in Joondalup

Staff writerJoondalup Times

A PROJECT has started in Joondalup to break down barriers to psychiatric care.

Local psychiatrist Dr Angelene Chester has assembled a team of senior medical doctors and mental health nurses to provide urgent psychiatric care in Joondalup.

“Over the years, I have met a lot of people who have been adversely affected by delays in accessing appropriate psychiatric care,” Dr Chester said.

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Referrals are welcome from anybody: clinical psychologists, school counsellors, practice nurses, midwives, family members, or people can self-refer.

“GP referrals are preferred but for some people this represents a barrier to accessing urgent care,” she said.

From this month, Wellness North Afterhours started a 12-week pilot program providing urgent psychiatric assessment and care. The program hopes to prove its role in reducing demand on public services and emergency departments.

It adds a choice for people wanting to access collaborative psychiatric care in the private sector.

There is no government funding for this project so no rebates will be available.

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