The Division MSOAP Psychiatrist Service has been expanded to include a female visiting Psychiatrist and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, with outreach services provided to Nambucca Heads.
 
The Division supports the integration of General Practice, Allied Health and Specialist Mental Health Services with the provision of shared care primary mental health education and training programs. In 2001, the Division entered into a continuing collaborative ‘Upskilling in Primary Care Psychiatry’ project funded by the Mid North Coast Area Health Service. State Health funded ‘Teams of Two’ education activities have been conducted in collaboration with the Alliance of NSW Divisions of General Practice and Area Mental Health Services. BOHMI GP familiarization and educational support activities support GP registration under the program, along with the MSOAP upskilling activities and a mental health care peer support program.

The continued high growth in the rate of GP referrals to the Division RPHS, BOHMi, Better Access and MSOAP services highlighted the paucity of Area Health Community Mental Health services in meeting a growing community demand for mental health care. This situation has resulted in the local community becoming heavily reliant upon the Division services for the provision of primary care mental health services.  With the introduction of the Commonwealth funded Better Access to Mental Health Services MBS items, the private allied health workforce has increased significantly on the Mid North Coast of NSW resulting in increased community access to primary mental health care.  The Division continues to support the development and uptake of this vital workforce.

Over 70 organisations, including State Area Health, Not for profit support organisations, private health providers, Commonwealth and State funded support agencies have worked with the Division to deliver a highly integrated approach to the delivery of primary mental health care. In addition, Division Mental Health staff delivers education; mentoring and group work with other organisations to increase local service capacity. During the 2003-2004 financial year, Division Mental Health Services reported over 5,030 patient visits, a record that clearly demonstrates how a Division can make a difference in local communities.