Author(s)

Dr Simone McCallum & Regina Cai

Affiliations

Eastern Health

Introduction

Embedding General Practitioners (GPs) into community mental health services represents a transformative approach to addressing the holistic needs of individuals with severe mental illness. This presentation explores the innovative Embedded GP Service model, which aims to bridge the longstanding gap between mental health and primary care. Dr. Simone McCallum, a passionate advocate for equitable care, has utilised her experience as a General Practitioner and Psychiatry HMO to develop this embedded GP service within Eastern Health’s mental health and wellbeing program. Partnering with Regina Cai, a Clinical Nurse Consultant, with frontline mental health experiences and passions towards integrated care research, the team is currently carrying out a unique qualitative research project to evaluate the impact of embedding general practice in mental health services.

Discussion

People with severe mental illness often face poor physical health outcomes due to fragmented care. By embedding GPs directly within mental health services, the Embedded GP Service model offers a promising solution to this challenge, ensuring that individuals with lived experience receive comprehensive care that addresses both their physical and mental health needs. Dr. McCallum’s experience of working within both primary care and psychiatry highlighted the need for this integrated approach. Regina Cai’s research interest focuses on evaluating the impact of this collaboration, with particular attention to improving physical health outcomes for individuals with mental illness. Early findings suggest that integrated care improves care continuity, access to medical support, and overall health outcomes. This innovative model demonstrates the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, breaking down silos between mental and physical health services.