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To provide an example of implementation of a new program that enhances access to mental health care in primary care.

A general and specialized mental health service was redesigned to introduce open access to comprehensive mental health care in a primary care clinic. Key variables measured before and after implementation of the clinic included numbers of completed referrals, waiting time for appointments and clinic productivity. Workload and pre/post-implementation waiting time data were gathered through a computerized electronic monitoring system.

Waiting time for new appointments was shortened from a mean of 33 days to 19 min. Clinician productivity and evaluations of new referrals more than doubled. These improvements have been sustained for 4 years.

Moving mental health services into primary care, initiating open access and increasing use of …