General Practice Based Wellbeing Services

Nelson Bays Primary Health provides an Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction Service, which is a nationwide initiative to provide you with timely local, accessible, and free access to mental health support.

Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs)

Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) are registered health professionals. A HIP works along side your general practitioner (GP) and general practice team to help you with all health problems and stress. Appointments are free for all ages, are 20–30 minutes long, and you can book directly with the general practice administration team.

This service will help with:

• Stress and anxiety

• Sleep

• Pain

• Parenting

• Grief and loss

• Accessing other services

• Health conditions

• Lifestyle changes

• Depression

• Relationships

How to access the Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)?

HIPs are located in most general practices (family doctor) in Nelson Bays. If you would like to access a HIP, please call your general practice to see if one is located in the practice, and if so, book in an appointment. The HIP may be able to see you the day you phone the practice.

Health Coaches

Health Coaches are based in general practices and work alongside Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) and the general practice teams. Like HIPs, they accept same-day appointments from your general practice team. Health Coaches help those with long-term conditions to develop their knowledge, skills, beliefs, and confidence so that they can actively manage their long-term conditions.

This service will help with:

Health Coaches come from a range of health and well-being backgrounds, supporting you to take positive steps forward for improving your health. This includes:

• Empowering you to take control of your health and wellbeing

• Helping you develop realistic goals

• Encouraging good management of various health issues that you want addressed

• Discuss how to be more active by doing things you enjoy

How to access a Health Coach?

If you need to access a Health Coach, please let your general practice (family doctor) know or your General Practitioner (GP) or Practice Nurse or HIP may suggest for you to meet the Health Coach in addition to your consult. You can also contact your general practice to arrange a time with the Health Coach, without seeing your GP or Practice Nurse. The Health Coach will aim to see you on the same day the appointment is made, or you can book an appointment for another day. Any appointments you have with a Health Coach are free.