Miss Rebekah Deighton1, Ms Elizabeth Ryan2
1Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health, Herston, Australia, 2Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
Rebekah Deighton is the Allied Health Director of Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drugs at the Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health. With a robust background in mental health, Rebekah has dedicated her career to improving mental health services, particularly in rural Queensland. As an occupational therapist, her experience spans various clinical and management positions across mental health, hospital, and community settings. This diverse background has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of mental health challenges and innovative solutions
Abstract:
Background:
The 57th Queensland Parliament’s inquiry to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders (Queensland Parliament, 2022) highlighted the need for public mental health services to look at ways to address workforce challenges to improve consumer outcomes. Recommendations from this committee included reviewing allied health career progression opportunities and exploration of ways to support allied health professions to optimise their professional scope of practice whilst working within a case management model.
In response to this a statewide project was undertaken to understand the current allied health workforce profile within mental health alcohol and other drug services, as well as to determine the enablers for the professions of occupational therapy, psychology and social work to maintain their professional identity and work to full scope.
Discussion:
This presentation will explore of the key themes identified by allied health professionals as well as service leaders. Key issues include articulation of professional identity and role within the multi-disciplinary team, professional leadership and governance requirements, recruitment and retention factors, as well as career progression opportunities. Implementation of strategies to address these issues will help shape allied health care within mental health into the future.