MANNING -GREAT LAKES HEADSPACE TENDER PROCESS UNDERWAY

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie today announced a Request for Tender for the establishment of a headspace centre to service the Manning-Great Lakes region had been issued by the local Primary Health Network.

Tenders for the service will close in mid-January and Dr Gillespie has stated that he is very keen to discuss any potential locations with providers proposing to tender for the service.

Dr Gillespie said I’ve had many organisations and people contact me about the opening of headspace for the region, they’re all enthusiastic in wishing to support the establishment of the service.

“I’m keen to explore opportunities with potential providers in harnessing this enthusiasm and delivering the best headspace service possible,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Headspace will be free for young people and open to self-referral, we want to make it as easy and comfortable for young people to access necessary mental health support.” 

“Headspace provides an important service to the community, designed for and in partnership with young people to

“One in four young Australians aged 16 to 24 experiences mental illness in any given year, and we need to be able to support these young Australians,” Dr Gillespie said.

The headspace model is based on an easy-to-use, enhanced primary care service that works in an integrated way to meet the needs of young people who have encountered a disruption of their physical, emotional and or social well-being.

Information from the Primary Network indicates that they expect contract negotiations with the successful tenderer to be finalised in late March or early April.

As every headspace centre across the country services different communities of young people with differing needs, no two headspace services are the same.

Services are codesigned in conjunction with young people from the communities they service. As such the successful provider for the Manning-Great Lakes area would work in conjunction with the headspace National Office to develop a detailed implementation plan before service begin.

It is expected that following these negotiations, the local services will open in the second half of next year.