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Primary Health Care Corporation has expanded the ‘Integrated Mental Health Service’ and is now offering psychiatry clinics at three health centres.
The clinics offer community-based service for patients registered at any PHCC Health Center and jointly deliver services with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) for patients with moderate to severe mental health concerns. At present, integrated psychiatry clinics are available at Health Centres in Al Thumama, Qatar University and Al Wajbah, PHCC said on its website.
Patients aged 18 and above presenting with moderate to severe, but non-emergency , mental health concerns are referred by physicians at other PHCC health centres.
PHCC psychiatry clinics provide services for patients above the age of 18 years and presenting with concerns such as moderate to severe anxiety, depression, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorders and other problems. Patients requiring this service will need to visit a family physician, who will assess and refer them to the service if appropriate.
The service initially started at the Thumama Health Centre as a pilot project and has since been expanded to two other health centres.
This service is also serving one of the aims of the ‘National Health Strategy’ that the primary care in Qatar must provide what is equal to 20 percent of the mental health services currently provided at hospitals. This collaborative work between primary and secondary care providers supports the implementation of a stepped model of care and integration between services.
The clinics provide effective, evidence based mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment, improving access and take-up of mental health care services closer to patients' homes and in a less stigmatising setting.
It aims to provide full mental health services such as diagnosing and preparing full treatment plans and follow-up plans for patients who earlier used to be referred to HMC’s Psychiatry Hospital.
The service features integrated mental care and improved patient experience and clinical results. This will also lead to a decreased appointment waiting time in secondary care.
PHCC has also launched its ‘Support Clinic’ within five Health Centers at Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Thumama, Al Wajbah and Qatar University. Its services include early diagnose and clinical checks by skilled and highly trained physicians who identify and evaluate the level of mental cases between mild to moderate.
PHCC had announced earlier that all patients aged 18-65 are eligible for this comprehensive service. Treatment options may include psychological interventions, medication management, advice on lifestyle and self-management as well as appropriate education and advice for patients and their care givers.
