Context: HIV and Hepatitis C are chronic illnesses with significant psychiatric morbidity. Inner-city Sydney has a high prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis C and has several high-quality general practices that meet the medical needs of these patients. While some can afford private psychiatry and psychology services, many live on limited incomes and rely on public mental health care. The general adult mental health service is swamped by acute presentations that demand a rapid response, leading to restricted services to patients with less acute disorders, such as the high-prevalence disorders of anxiety, depression and substance abuse.
Objectives: The HIV, Hepatitis C and Mental Health (“H2M”) service consists of a 1.0 FTE Clinical Nurse Consultant, 1.0 FTE Clinical Psychologist, 0.25 FTE Psychiatrist and 0.4 FTE Receptionist based in the Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at St Vincent's Hospital. The service structure, patient characteristics and management methods will be described.
Key messages: This specialist service concentrates on consultation and liaison with doctors managing patients with complex needs. It has enhanced links and services available for local GPs. Most of the GPs have become more confident in assessing and managing mental health problems and enjoy the opportunity for informal discussion of patients.
Conclusion: H2M has enhanced the quality of mental health care for people living with HIV and Hepatitis C and improved GP satisfaction and confidence in managing psychiatric morbidity.
