
PLEASE READ – COVID-19 NEWS – August 2020
In late July 2020 The Collaborative Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHiP) was able to recommence clinics at Concord Hospital and the Charles Perkins Centre (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital).
However to ensure the ongoing safety of patients and staff, we have recommenced at a reduced capacity. It is likely that we will operate at this reduced capacity for some time.
As of today 22 September 2020 only the CRGH clinics will function. CPC/RPA clinics may re-commence by the end of September. Community health centre clinics may re-start by mid-October. These dates are updated regularly but of course are subject to the vagaries of the ebbs and flows of the epidemic.
As a result of the above we have made changes to our referral criteria.
- Any person residing within the catchment area of Sydney Local Health District can be referred by their mental health team and/or general practitioner using an eReferral pathway.
- The patient must be aged between 18-65 years of age and
- be receiving treatment for a severe and enduring psychosis or affective disorder.
All referrals will still undergo triage – priority will be given to anyone with a known diagnosis of diabetes, an established history of cardiovascular disease or past high or very high risk for cardiovascular disease using the CVD risk algorithms. Patients without these risk indicators may therefore not be seen by ccCHiP until 2021.
IMPORTANT! Referrals MUST be by the eReferral system. Paper, fax, email referrals will not be accepted.
Unfortunately, we cannot currently accept referrals for patients residing outside the Sydney Local Health District. We would encourage you to check our website in late January 2021 for further updates regarding our capacity and adjusted referral criteria.
If you have any questions in relation to a referral please contact ccCHiP on 02 9767 6027
Collaborative Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHiP)
Welcome to the Collaborative Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHiP) website. This site is designed for mental health clinicians, and those responsible for the care of people with persistent psychotic disorders. Its aim is to provide information on how to deliver cardiometabolic and lifestyle services to improve the global health outcomes for those with SMI, assuming that such services will need to be developed and run ‘on the whiff of an oily rag’ .
ccCHiP is a cooperative venture partly funded by NSW Health, supported by Sydney University and Concord Hospital. The centre was established by Professor Tim Lambert, Dr Jeff Snars and Associate Professor Roger Chen in 2009. Our clinic – an integrated service for screening, detection, management and follow up of metabolic disorders among patients with severe mental illness – provides a model for a replicable, scalable clinical service. Our clinics aim to improve the physical health of people with mental illness. Metabolic disorders are the fastest growing chronic health issue in the world, and they disproportionately affect people living with a serious mental illness.

Three multi-disciplinary clinics
The ccCHiP provides:
- an outpatient clinic at the Medical Centre of Concord Repatriation General Hospital (CRGH), specifically within the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) catchment
- an outpatient clinic at Charles Perkins Centre (cpcCHiP);
- a peripatetic clinic rotating through the community health centres within the SLHD catchment area.
In addition, a limited consultation service is provided to the Concord Centre for Mental Health (CCMH).
Outpatient Clinic
at Charles Perkins Centre
- It is a multidisciplinary clinic that includes Psychiatry, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, Dentistry, and Nursing.
- It takes place once every month on Wednesday afternoons between 1:00-16.30pm
- The service cares for the needs of the mentally ill in the community; specifically within the Sydney Local Health District (SLDH) catchment.
Outpatient Clinic
at the CRGH Medical Centre
- It is a multidisciplinary clinic that includes Psychiatry, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, Dentistry, and Nursing.
- It takes place every Monday afternoon between 1:00-16.30pm
- The service cares for the needs of the mentally ill in the community; specifically within the Sydney Local Health District (SLDH) catchment.
Community Outpatient Clinics
- It is a multidisciplinary clinic that includes Psychiatry, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, and Nursing.
- It takes place every Friday afternoon alternating between Community Health Centres in the SLHD catchment from 1:00-16.30pm
- The service cares for the needs of the mentally ill in the community; specifically within the Sydney Local Health District (SLDH) catchment.
Various Educational Activities and Resources
cccCHiP is actively engaged in educational activities targeted for both students and practitioners. Many educational resources are available on this website.
Research Activities
ccCHiP performs various research activities including supervision of HDR students, publishing articles, and design-led investigations of medical co-morbidities in severe mental illness.
Research Projects
- Coenzyme Q10 levels in those with chronic psychotic disorders and chronic mood disorders
- Single Channel Nasal Flow Measurement As A Screening Tool For OSA In Mental Illness: A Feasibility Study
- Impact of a health literacy intervention on cardiometabolic health
- Hypersalivation and drooling
Selected Articles
- Are the cardiometabolic complications of schizophrenia still neglected? Barriers to Care
- Metabolic differences between asian and caucasian patients on clozapine treatment
- Editorial: The medical care of people with psychosis
Design-led Investigations
- ccCHiP Database App and Minimal Dataset
- Role of visualisation of patient data in adherence
Recent News about ccCHiP
All the recents news about Collaborative Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHIP) can be viewed here. You can also follow our latest updates on Twitter and Facebook.

ccCHiP has been officially launched by The Hon. Tanya Davies - The Minister of Mental Health:… t.co/aGIdmPTjUB

ccCHiP is looking for a new full-time Senior Research Officer: t.co/2fLMPvB58n

Prof Tim Lambert and his colleagues received national recognition for their contributions to student learning.… t.co/JfPAEXDk0o
Recent Activities
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- Assoc Prof Roger Chen has recently made the following presentations:
- Best Practices in Diabetes Centres (BPDC) Symposium at the National Association of Diabetes Centres (NADC)
- Lectures on Mental Illness and Metabolic Disease in South Korea
- Diabetes and Psychotropic Medications at the Australasian Custodial Health Medical Officer Conference
- Prof Tim Lambert and his colleagues have received national recognition for their outstanding contributions to student learning. >>>
- CRGH nursing and allied health workshop on diabetes: Diabetes Overview – October 2015 by Avinash Suryawanshi
- AIGP conference: Diabetes Update: Individualising treatment- September 2015 by Avinash Suryawanshi
- Sydney Uni course: Pharmacology of OHA/Insulin/glucagon – August 2015 by Avinash Suryawanshi
- Invited Talk: Cardiometaboic Health in Psychosis in Chile – August 2015 by Prof Tim Lambert
- Assoc Prof Roger Chen has recently made the following presentations:
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About ccCHiP
Collaborative Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHIP) is a cooperative venture partly funded by NSW Health and our clinical services are located within Sydney Local Health Network. We are supported by contributions in kind from the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), Sydney University, Concord Hospital Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Concord Hospital Dietetics Department, and the Australian Diabetes Council.

The Roles of Each Discipline
ccCHiP Promotional Video


