A local drug and alcohol treatment service is now providing a free in-reach service to a small number of general practices in the north metropolitan area.
North Metro Community Alcohol and Drug Service (NMCADS), a collaboration between Cyrenian House and Next Step, has partnered with WA Primary Health Alliance to provide a drug and alcohol service for patients who attend their GP.
NMCADS now operates three one-day in-reach services to GP clinics in the area, including Clarkson, Two Rocks and Wanneroo. The first site at Key Largo Medical Centre came online early in 2018, followed by Brookside Medical in September 2018 with Two Rocks Medical, the last site to be established, in late 2018.
“NMCADS sees this as an opportunity to increase service access for patients who otherwise would not access drug and alcohol services and to enhance patient outcomes via more cohesive case management practices with GPs” said Eric Nordberg, NMCADS Service Manager. “There is a lot of stigma attached to drug and alcohol use, and this is a barrier that many patients struggle to overcome.” It is hoped that the service will allow patients to reduce that stigma significantly by being able to access an alcohol and drug service via their GP. “Having us on site allows excellent communication and case consultation between the counsellors and GPs,” said Mr Nordberg.
Counsellors from NMCADS staff each clinic one day per week, providing appointments for up to six patients per day. Appointments can range from single brief intervention sessions, to longer term counselling appointments, depending on the needs of the patient.
In addition to the GP in-reach services, NMCADS is now also providing after?hours services on Saturdays from their Joondalup site, at 10 Clarke Crescent. The Saturday service has a primary focus on improving access for consumers and those who struggle to attend weekday appointments, due to other commitments. The service operates from 8.30 am to 4.30pm. To date this service has been well utilised with positive client feedback and treatment outcomes achieved.
There are also referral pathways to inpatient withdrawal services and residential services at Cyrenian House’s Rick Hammersley and Serenity Lodge Therapeutic Communities. In addition, addiction medicine specialists through Next Step Clinical Services and counselling services are accessible at both the NMCADS Joondalup and Warwick sites. Patients of the in?reach services also have access to the mental health-focused Partners in Recovery Program (PIR) and other mental health support.
For more information on the in-reach service or other alcohol and drug services offered by Cyrenian House, please contact Nicola Iannantuoni, Services Development Manager, on 9328 9200 or nicola.iannantuoni@ cyrenianhouse.com.
Eligibility criteria
Anyone who lives in the following suburbs can access the service: Clarkson, Two Rocks or Wanneroo. It is not necessary to be a patient at the specific GP practices where the alcohol and drug services are based.
A referral form can be downloaded from HealthPathways at http://www. cyrenianhouse.com/wp-content/ uploads/2013/04/Fax-Referral-Form.pdf
For more information on services see the ‘Community Alcohol and Drug Support Services’ HealthPathway.
A local drug and alcohol treatment service is now providing a free in-reach service to a small number of general practices in the north metropolitan area.
North Metro Community Alcohol and Drug Service (NMCADS), a collaboration between Cyrenian House and Next Step, has partnered with WA Primary Health Alliance to provide a drug and alcohol service for patients who attend their GP.
NMCADS now operates three one-day in-reach services to GP clinics in the area, including Clarkson, Two Rocks and Wanneroo. The first site at Key Largo Medical Centre came online early in 2018, followed by Brookside Medical in September 2018 with Two Rocks Medical, the last site to be established, in late 2018.
“NMCADS sees this as an opportunity to increase service access for patients who otherwise would not access drug and alcohol services and to enhance patient outcomes via more cohesive case management practices with GPs” said Eric Nordberg, NMCADS Service Manager. “There is a lot of stigma attached to drug and alcohol use, and this is a barrier that many patients struggle to overcome.” It is hoped that the service will allow patients to reduce that stigma significantly by being able to access an alcohol and drug service via their GP. “Having us on site allows excellent communication and case consultation between the counsellors and GPs,” said Mr Nordberg.
Counsellors from NMCADS staff each clinic one day per week, providing appointments for up to six patients per day. Appointments can range from single brief intervention sessions, to longer term counselling appointments, depending on the needs of the patient.
In addition to the GP in-reach services, NMCADS is now also providing after?hours services on Saturdays from their Joondalup site, at 10 Clarke Crescent. The Saturday service has a primary focus on improving access for consumers and those who struggle to attend weekday appointments, due to other commitments. The service operates from 8.30 am to 4.30pm. To date this service has been well utilised with positive client feedback and treatment outcomes achieved.
There are also referral pathways to inpatient withdrawal services and residential services at Cyrenian House’s Rick Hammersley and Serenity Lodge Therapeutic Communities. In addition, addiction medicine specialists through Next Step Clinical Services and counselling services are accessible at both the NMCADS Joondalup and Warwick sites. Patients of the in?reach services also have access to the mental health-focused Partners in Recovery Program (PIR) and other mental health support.
For more information on the in-reach service or other alcohol and drug services offered by Cyrenian House, please contact Nicola Iannantuoni, Services Development Manager, on 9328 9200 or nicola.iannantuoni@cyrenianhouse.com.
Eligibility criteria
Anyone who lives in the following suburbs can access the service: Clarkson, Two Rocks or Wanneroo. It is not necessary to be a patient at the specific GP practices where the alcohol and drug services are based.
A referral form can be downloaded at http://www. cyrenianhouse.com/wp-content/ uploads/2013/04/Fax-Referral-Form.pdf
For more information on services see the ‘Community Alcohol and Drug Support Services’ HealthPathway.