Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney

Hi Maude,

Thanks for your post. It sounds like you are doing the right thing - you know what's happening and you are tring to do something about it. Good on you for that.

In regards to a psychiatrist, I am not sure of any who bulk bill, but I do know if you go to a GP and get a referral, you can obtain 6 sessions with a pyschologist under Medicare. This is through a government scheme called ATAPS. And I believe you can get 6 more sessions if required. I personally know a few people who have used this service and have found it very helpful.

You also might want to try giving ARAFMI NSW a call on 02 9332 0700. This is their Helpline. ARAFMI are essentially a carer organisation, but the operators there should have a listing of psychiatrists in their electronic library, and maybe there might be one in there who is 'user friendly'.

The last thing I can think of for you to try would be to find the number of your nearest Medicare Local office (just google this). A Medicare local has many services under their banner, and usually have a scheme called 'Partners in Recovery' which would probably be able to help you out.

Hope this information helps,

Hobbit.

Hobbit thank you but:

Re: the 6 sessions with a psychologist. I see no sense what-so-ever in going to a GP who doesn't know me, to have them write the compulsary Mental Health Plan necessary for me to see a psychologist who (a) can't prescribe meds and (b) will take 2 of the first 6 sessions taking a history before, at the end of the 6 sessions, I will be required to go back to the GP who doesn't know me for them to assess my progress to determine whether I can go on for a total of 10 sessions.

This doesn't address the need for meds or reviewing and adjusting of meds. I have a very severe depression that is not going to be fixed by 6 sessions with a psychologist and someone stabbing in the dark in terms of meds. A psychiatrist can assist with meds, therapy and adjustment of meds.

I rang ARAFMI some time back. I spoke with a nice person who explained that they don't deal with depression. Only other mental illnesses.

I need confirmation of diagnosis, meds, therapy and review of meds. Partners in Recovery are of no help what-so-ever in my situation. They are about supporting people with complex, chronic conditions in their own home.

I have the very "user friendly" RANZCP directory of psychiatrists. I found 17 in my area who both (a) had an interest in depression and (b) listed a willingness to see Medicare patients. I contacted all 17 of them. Every one of them brushed me off. Most (not all) said they'd love to help but their books were full however, when I rang back a few days later pretending to be a private patient with private health insurance, many of them immediately offered me appointments.

As a migrant from the UK I was told that the Medicare levy was to cover us if ever we got ill. I have paid thousands of dollars every year for decades. Now that I need help I am told that I am asking for something for nothing.

Thank you for trying to help.

Hi Maude,

Just wondering how you are going. Have you had any luck in finding a psychiatrist at all?

Hobbit.

Thank you for asking Hobbit.

No luck yet.

Thank you. It used to be that lots of psychiatrists took a percentage of Medicare patients.

Local Community Health Centres are generally no good at handling people with major depression. They are better with people with chronic conditions such as Schizophrenia.

The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) publishes on-line the details of psychiatrists and in their profiles they state whether they will see Medicare patients. Going through their profiles assists in finding appropriate ones (for example, some work with particular conditions or age groups). I searched under Depression and adult and found quite a number who treated depression in adults and who stated that they would see Medicare patients. However, without exception no-one was available when I rang. Some said they would - it was just that their books were full. However, when I rang back a few days later pretending to be a privately insured person, they were able to offer appointments.

If anyone is interested the link is: https://www.ranzcp.org/Mental-health-advice/find-a-psychiatrist.aspx

Re: the Black Dog Institute. They are Medicare however, they only do "one off" assessments. This can be handy however, I have been assessed and diagnosed and am looking for someone to have more than a one-off consultation with.

The CADE Clinic is also largely a clinical assessment unit.

Thank you again for yoru reply. I appreciate you taking the time.

It really shouldn't be this hard to get help.