Upcoming SNHN mental health service changes
Below is an update on two changes to SNHN‑funded mental health services and to briefly share context on the Neighbourhood Health Hubs (NHHs). This update focuses on how to access services for your patients.
At a glance – what you need to know
- SNHN continues to fund mental health and AOD services
- Some services will be delivered by new providers
- Referral pathways may change, but access to care continues
- Current patients remain with their provider until their episode of care is complete
Click on each change below to find out more.
Change 1: SNHN Mental Health Triage referral pathway
From Monday 11 May 2026, SNHN’s Mental Health Triage line (1300 782 391) will close. Calls made to this phone number from 11 May will be signposted to Medicare Mental Health.
Where to refer instead
All new referrals for mental health, psychosocial and alcohol & other drug services should be directed to Medicare Mental Health (PCCS) – a single, central entry point to free and low‑cost mental health supports for people of all ages experiencing anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health challenges.
You can make referrals via the following options:
- Phone: 1800 595 212 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm, excluding public holidays)
- Email referral form to: nswintake@pccs.org.au
- Healthlink: EDI nsydmmhc
You can also refer directly to services via LinkUp, the Northern Sydney mental health service directory, if you already know the most suitable provider.
Important: Medicare Mental Health is not a crisis service. For immediate risk, call 000 or access crisis services for after‑hours support.
How referrals will be assessed
- Referrals are managed by Medicare Mental Health (PCCS) clinicians, who will undertake an initial assessment in partnership with the individual and/or referrer using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR‑DST)
- Patients are directed to the most appropriate service based on need
- Self‑referral by phone is also available
Why the change?
PCCS operates the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Ryde and its intake service. Moving referrals to this centralised entry point:
- reduces duplication
- simplifies referrals
- supports the rollout of Neighbourhood Health Hubs across Northern Sydney
Change 2: Psychology service transition
From 1 July 2026 psychology services currently delivered by New Vision Psychology will transition to PCCS via their Access+ service. Access+ is available to all patients, while continuing to provide care from CALD clinicians, broadening access while maintaining culturally responsive support.
What’s staying the same and what’s enhanced
- The core service remains unchanged: individual psychological therapies for people with mild to moderate mental health needs
- Access+ is available to all patients
- Continued access to CALD clinicians, maintaining culturally responsive care while broadening availability
- No gap in service availability
How to refer
You can refer patients via the following options:
- Phone: 1800 595 212 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm, excluding public holidays)
- Email referral form to: nswintake@pccs.org.au
- Healthlink: EDI nsydmmhc
Alternatively, patients can self-refer to the service via Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212.
Patients currently receiving care with New Vision Psychology will complete their episode of care. Patients who wish to continue privately with their existing clinician may do so (gap fees apply).
About Neighbourhood Health Hubs (NHHs)
Neighbourhood Health Hubs are a place‑based approach to care being introduced across Ryde, Northern Beaches and Hornsby.
Initially, these hubs will operate as care teams working together across organisations to better coordinate support around patients. Over time, some hubs will evolve to include physical locations, where this adds value for communities and clinicians.
The hubs are designed to better support general practice by strengthening connections with allied health, mental health, alcohol and other drug, and community services. The focus is on coordinated care that’s easier for patients to access and simpler for clinicians to navigate, informed by local service data and feedback from health professionals and the community.
From July, we’ll begin testing small‑scale care models within each Neighbourhood Health Hub in Ryde, Northern Beaches and Hornsby. These models will:
- be limited in scope and carefully monitored
- help us understand what works best locally
- not affect services already in place from 1 July 2026.
Each Hub will continue to be shaped by its local context to improve care for its local community.
Stay informed or get involved
Updates will continue via:
- the fortnightly Health Professional Newsletter
- targeted emails
- the SNHN website
You can also connect with your Primary Care Engagement coordinator at pcait@snhn.org.au
If you’d like to contribute to service design or referral pathway development, you can join the Northern Sydney Wellbeing Collaborative by clicking here: Join the Northern Sydney Wellbeing Collaborative.