GP Shared-Care Plan
GP shared-care psychiatry — keep ongoing care with your usual GP, with specialist backup.
Structured handover back to your GP after specialist stabilisation. SetMind provides a clear shared-care plan, prescribing handover, and review schedule so ongoing care stays local — with a direct line back to a specialist whenever something changes. AHPRA-registered FRANZCP consultant psychiatrists. Telehealth Australia-wide.
- AHPRA-registered FRANZCP
- Medicare-rebatable
- Written shared-care plan
- Direct GP-to-specialist line
FRANZCP consultant psychiatrists
Specialist-trained, AHPRA-registered (MED prefix). Not GPs, not coaches, not nurse practitioners.
Every state and territory
Telehealth from home on any device. No commute, no waiting room, full Medicare eligibility.
Usually within 1–3 weeks
First appointment typically inside three weeks of referral — versus 6–12+ months for many in-person clinics.
Written specialist report
Formulation and treatment plan sent to your GP within 5 business days of your appointment.
The Australian picture
Most stable, well-treated adults don't need ongoing private psychiatry — they need a good plan and their GP.
Australian GPs deliver the majority of mental healthcare in this country, and shared-care models are an established way to keep specialist input proportionate. SetMind's shared-care plans are designed to be GP-friendly: clear, structured, and easy to follow.
General practice is the most common point of contact for mental health care in Australia (AIHW data).
RACGP guidance encourages structured shared-care arrangements for stable patients on long-term psychotropic medication.
Shared-care plans reduce duplication, lower out-of-pocket costs, and keep care close to home — without losing specialist oversight.
Periodic specialist review (typically every 6–12 months) catches drift early, before small issues become big ones.
Who it's for
Is a GP shared-care plan right for you?
A good fit if
- You're 18 or older and live in Australia
- Your psychiatric treatment is stable and well-tolerated
- Your GP is happy to continue prescribing under a structured plan
- You've previously been seen by a SetMind psychiatrist, or by another specialist whose plan you'd like reviewed and documented for handover
Not the right fit if
- —You're in an active phase of dose-finding or treatment change — wait until you're stable
- —You're in acute crisis or your symptoms are escalating — book a clinical review instead
- —Your GP has declined ongoing prescribing — speak to them first about the regimen
- —You're under 18 — we're an adult-only service
The pathway
How a shared-care plan works at SetMind.
A structured handover in four clear steps — from GP referral to a written shared-care plan with agreed review cadence.
Get a GP referral
Your GP writes a referral and confirms they're happy to continue prescribing under a shared-care plan. This unlocks Medicare rebates for specialist consultation.
Book & complete intake
Choose a time that suits you. We send a brief stability and side-effect review to complete before the appointment.
30–45 min telehealth review
Your psychiatrist reviews diagnosis, treatment stability, side effects, and any monitoring needs.
Written shared-care plan
Your GP receives a structured plan within 5 business days — diagnosis, prescribing, monitoring, escalation criteria, and the agreed review cadence.
Clinical standards
The framework, guidelines, and credentials behind your plan.
Shared-care framework
Our plans follow RACGP-aligned shared-care principles: clear delineation of GP and specialist responsibilities, agreed monitoring schedule, defined escalation criteria, and a documented review cadence (typically 6–12 monthly).
Prescribing handover
We document each medication, dose, indication, monitoring requirements (e.g. ECG for QT-prolonging agents, baseline bloods for mood stabilisers), and any state-based authority requirements your GP needs to be aware of.
Specialist credentials
Every clinician is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) and registered as a Specialist Psychiatrist with AHPRA.
Want to know the people behind the care? Meet the SetMind psychiatrists →
What's included
A clean handover — not a vague 'continue current medication' letter.
Every SetMind shared-care plan follows the same structured format. GPs get exactly what they need to feel confident continuing prescribing — and exactly when to re-refer if something changes.
- Specialist review of current diagnosis and treatment stability
- 30–45 minute consultant psychiatrist consultation by secure video
- Side-effect and tolerability review
- Written shared-care plan tailored to your GP and your situation
- Clear prescribing handover: each medication, dose, indication, and monitoring requirement
- Agreed escalation criteria — when to re-refer back for specialist review
- Optional periodic specialist review (usually 6–12 monthly)
- Direct GP-to-psychiatrist communication channel for clinical queries between reviews
- Plain-language patient summary so you understand what's in the plan
Fees & Medicare
Transparent pricing, Medicare rebates available.
With a current GP referral, a substantial portion of your specialist psychiatry fee is rebatable through Medicare. We confirm your full out-of-pocket cost in writing before your appointment — no surprises, no hidden charges.
Questions
Common questions about shared-care plans.
- Most Australian GPs are familiar with shared-care psychiatry plans and welcome a clear, written handover. We make it easy: structured documentation, clear escalation criteria, and a direct line back to the specialist if anything changes. If your GP would like to discuss the plan before agreeing, we can arrange that.
Related services
Other ways SetMind can help.
Medication Review
Independent specialist review of your current psychiatric medications — useful as a precursor to a shared-care handover.
Learn moreDepression & Anxiety Review
Specialist review for adults with depression or anxiety when first-line GP care hasn't worked.
Learn moreAdult ADHD Assessment
Structured DSM-5-TR ADHD assessment for adults — often followed by a shared-care plan once stable.
Learn moreStable treatment, simple handover.
Book a shared-care plan consult with an AHPRA-registered FRANZCP consultant psychiatrist. Telehealth from anywhere in Australia, usually within three weeks.
SetMind operates under the Australian Privacy Act 1988, the My Health Records Act 2012, and RANZCP professional standards.
References
- 1. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Guidance on shared care arrangements.
- 2. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders. 2020.
- 3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health services in Australia.
- 4. RANZCP. Position statements and practice guidance on telehealth psychiatry.