Manx Care is rolling out its Mental Health First Contact Practitioner service to nine additional GP practices following a successful pilot in Peel and the south of the island.
The expansion aims to improve access to early mental health support within primary care and ease pressure on GP appointments.
The practitioners work directly inside GP surgeries, offering assessments, advice and short‑term interventions for issues such as anxiety, low mood and stress.
Patients can book appointments through their practice reception without needing to see a GP first.
Mental Health
Ross Bailey, Divisional General Manager for Integrated Mental Health Services, said the pilot had demonstrated “the real difference” the practitioners can make by providing timely support and ensuring specialist services remain available for those with more complex needs.
The service also helps GP practices manage rising demand for mental‑health‑related appointments by directing patients to the most appropriate professional.
Annmarie Cubbon, General Manager for Integrated Primary and Community Care, said embedding mental health expertise within GP practices was “an important step” in strengthening community‑based support.
The expanded service is now available across multiple practices throughout the week, with appointments offered both face‑to‑face and by phone.
Manx Care will continue to monitor outcomes as part of its wider commitment to improving access to mental health care closer to home.
