GP down south - Busselton

GP down south is a not for profit, community-based organisation providing health and wellbeing services in the Peel and South-West regions of WA since 1994.

In the South-West region GP down south deliver the following programs: 

Down South Aboriginal Health, Integrated Primary Mental Health Care, Mental Health Counselling in Residential Aged Care Facilities, Clinical Care Coordination and Integrated Chronic Disease Care.  

Integrated Primary Mental Health Care  

The Integrated Primary Mental Health Care Service provides short term support, coordination and access to evidence based treatments for people at risk of or with mild to moderate mental illness.  People with a current Health Care Card or experiencing financial hardship and is a resident in the South-West are eligible to be referred by their GP or other health professionals to the service.

Mental health assessments, care coordination and the development of a recovery plan are undertaken in partnership between experienced Mental Health Professionals and clients of the service.  The stepped care model then provides clients’ access to a range of low intensity evidence-based interventions and psychological therapies to meet their individual needs.  Services are delivered through a range of modalities including telehealth, e-health and face to face sessions.

Integrated Chronic Disease Care (ICDC)

GP down south is working to improve the health outcomes for people in the South-West of WA living with chronic health conditions through the delivery of a range programs.

The ICDC program focuses on improving the integration and coordination of services for people with chronic conditions. The program specifically targets those people who are socio-economically disadvantaged and are living with chronic diabetes, cardiac (CHF), respiratory (asthma and COPD) living in the Greater Bunbury, South-West Coastal, Wellington and Warren Blackwood regions.

Care Coordination Services

Effective co-ordination of patient care is essential in achieving optimal health outcomes.  Our care coordinators will work with people to assist them manage their chronic health conditions through the development of individual plans and increasing self- management capacity.  This can include:

• Setting health goals and developing plans to help people achieve their desired outcomes.
• Providing health related education
• Working to develop skills to manage health condition
• Assisting people to navigate the healthcare system
• Organising referrals to service providers including allied health and community support services.
• Encouraging engagement with the local community

For further information on the locations where care coordination is available and how to access this service contact the ICDC Program Coordinator on 9754 3662.

Allied Health Services

We have a team of dedicated allied health professionals who work in conjunction with their clients to improve their health through the provision of discipline specific services including diabetes education, dietetics and exercise physiology working in the South-West of WA.

Down South Aboriginal Health (DSAH)

Down South Aboriginal Health implements strategies and provides resources to improve the health and wellbeing of the local ATSI community. Offices are in the towns of Manjimup and Collie. 

The DSAH team includes Aboriginal Health Workers and transport officers who offer a range of support services to members of their local Aboriginal community including care coordination, health promotion activities and transport to local medical and allied health appointments.