Brisbane South PHN’s Recognise, Respond, Refer (RRR) model offers an integrated health response to domestic and family violence (DFV) by powerfully addressing barriers primary health care providers face in providing a systemic response to DFV.

Informed by the voices of people who have experienced violence, primary health care providers, DFV specialists, academics, key stakeholders and supported by evidence, RRR provides an integrated response to domestic and family violence by centring DVF as a health issue. It works to provide structure and guidance to primary care professionals and builds practitioners’ confidence to identify and respond.

‘We want general practices to feel part of a bigger system and that GPs have support to confidently respond to people affected by DFV,’ explains Susan Conaghan, Project Manager, Family Support, Brisbane South PHN.

‘RRR has worked both ways; it’s improved outcomes for patients experiencing DFV and, at the same time, it has supported GPs by making them feel more safe, comfortable and building their skills to work in trauma-informed ways.’

RRR works in 2 important ways. First, it clarifies the roles primary health care providers play at organisational, local and systemic levels, supporting practices to see themselves as part of a broader response. Secondly, it builds upon trusted and meaningful referrals to strengthen relationships between GPs and service providers and – likewise – between service providers and other service providers. ‘As a result of RRR, the DFV sector now has a better understanding of the role and scope of GPs and vice versa. GPs now have better understanding of the DFV sector,’ said Susan.

With $48.7 million of funding secured in the 2022-23 Budget for a national trial, implementing the Recognise, Respond, Refer model by Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across Australia will further enable a consistent, evidence-based national approach to improving the primary health care system response to DFV nationally.

Read full article in the latest Primary Health Impact edition