Previously a local psychologist would provide face-to-face mental health care, but that service was replaced by a telepsychology service more than three months ago.

Writing in the Mallacoota Mouth in July, Mallacoota Medical Centre general practitioner, Dr Sara Renwick-Lau, said there was a need for a face-to-face service in town.

“In December last year the GPHN removed psychology funding that was used to employ our psychologist Michael Edmeades for the provision of local mental health care,” Dr Renwick-Lau said.

“In June this year, the funding was given to a large corporate telepsychology service in Melbourne. I have decided to continue Michael’s work here without GPHN support.”

Mr Edmeades would work once a week at the medical centre, providing counselling and psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults.

GPHN chief executive officer Marianne Shearer said the Victorian Counselling and Psychological Services were providing an innovative telehealth model.

“It includes psychology via phone, webchat or video conference at no cost to patients,” she said.

“It has been working with health, community and education services within the Mallacoota district, including discussion regarding referral options for people in the surrounding community.

“The telepsychology service is currently working well. This provides people in the community the freedom to receive psychology and mental health support at times when it’s convenient for them.”

Ms Shearer accepted that further work needed to be undertaken to establish a local, confidential computer space for residents who may not have access to a phone or computer at home.

“Positive feedback has been received from a number of both health services and residents,” she said.