The Federal Government’s review of the Better Access initiative has backed the central role of the GP in writing mental health care plans, saying the evidence shows the scheme is improving patient outcomes.

It follows a long-running debate on the importance of the plans, with psychiatrist Professor Ian Hickie describing GPs in a 2011 Medical Journal of Australia article as little more than “glorified referrers”. 

The jibe fuelled a push by psychologists to strip out requirements for GP referrals under Better Access completely, with patients free to access MBS-subsidised care from psychologists directly.

However, the government review released on Monday said: “The mental health treatment plan should be retained but should be standardised, simplified and used to help GPs understand the needs of individual consumers and work collaboratively with other providers to meet these needs, rather than just being a requirement for referring consumers to Better Access.”