To better meet high-demand periods and improve workforce capacity, effective 9 October 2024, the Launceston Medicare Mental Health Centre (formerly Head to Health Centre) will be open to the public from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm weekdays and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm weekends and public holidays.

To investigate the best utilisation of staff and ensure that decisions about hours of operation were evidence-based, the Centre collated client usage over a period of weeks to indicate hours of high and low demand. The Centre’s adjusted hours will now make better use of available staff resources to reduce wait times, while continuing to align to the requirements of the Service Model for Head to Health Adult Mental Health Centres and Satellites.

The service will still be open 7 days a week, every day of the year, and has extended opening hours to serve the short- to medium-term mental health needs of the people in Launceston. Having operated for more than two years, the Launceston Medicare Mental Health Centre is pleased to have supported more than 3,200 people on their mental health journey. Ongoing service delivery has highlighted key times when people seek support, which has routinely been around lunch and end of business hours. To continue meeting the needs of the people of Launceston the Centre will be increasing staff during these key times.

The Centre also has a new name: The 2024 Federal Budget announced that nationally, the free, walk-in, 18+ services based on the Head to Health model will be renamed Medicare Mental Health Centres. This name change will not impact the services available at the Centres, including at 62 Canning Street, Launceston.

Medicare Mental Health Centres offer mental health support in a calm, safe, and inclusive environment. Their service will continue to be free, voluntary, and accessible via walk in or by appointment.  These Centres will continue to offer immediate support for people presenting in crisis as well as short- to medium-term clinical care. GP referrals and Medicare cards are not required to access the Centre. Family, carers, and loved ones of people experiencing mental illness can also seek information and advice through the Centre.

The Centres phone number and email address remain the same. Feel free to contact us on 1800 424 578 or headtohealth.launceston@stride.com.au.

In the event of an emergency, please contact 000.

Alternative options for face-to-face care include the Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (03 6310 8309) and Launceston General Hospital (6777 6777).

Or call Lifeline (131 114) or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

For people who are experiencing homelessness, Mission Health provides nurse-led health care (03 6335 3052).

This update has been provided to us directly from the Launceston Medicare Mental Health Centre.

The Launceston Medicare Mental Health Centre is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.