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Helpful for day to day functioning but flexible sessions req...

Posted By popcorn

"Helpful for day to day functioning but flexible sessions required"

About: Northern QLD PHN

(as the patient),

With my lifelong history of depression/anxiety, I need regular counselling to help me to function. My sessions with my psychologist give me 'tools' to carry through my life, to deal with day to day functioning. I have a referral from my GP for five visits but lately this has been compressed into a period of three months out of the year. This makes me anxious. When I feel well I don't want to be feeling I have to use up my visits. If a more flexible period of time were available, I would be able to enjoy my times of confidence and have the session to fall back on as I need them. If I am left without further sessions because the three months is up, what do I do when I am desperate for help? I think the sessions should be spaced over six months. Most people with depression continue to need help. More sessions should be available as needed.

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Responses

Response from Anthony Elliott, COO, Northern Qld PHN 8 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Anthony Elliott
COO,
Northern Qld PHN

Submitted on 18/08/2016 at 8:32 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 19/08/2016 at 10:04 AM

Hi popcorn

Thank you for taking the time to feedback to us about this service. It sounds as though you are certainly finding the psychology service very helpful.

We understand the concerns you have about the expiry of your appointments in a 3 month period and we will explore some options to see if this can be changed.

If you do need ongoing services after 3 months, you do have the option of arranging an appointment with your General Practitioner, and they can refer you for another 5 visits for the following 3 months.

At present, we are doing planning and exploring the improvements we can make to mental health services in the future, right across the Northern Queensland PHN region. We take your feedback seriously and I will be certain to make sure that we look into the issue you have raised as part of the improvements we can make to psychological services.

Once again, thank you getting in touch with us.

Anthony

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