Complex Referral Meetings and Social work collaborative practice within a Multi-disciplinary team.
Angela Crooke1 1Royal Childrens Hospital, Parkville, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Abstract
Background & Aims:
As pressure on beds necessitates earlier patient discharge, the medical and psychosocial complexity of those supported by a paediatric Hospital in the Home (HITH) service has increased. In order to manage these patients safely, Complex Referral Meetings (CRMs) were established in 2021 at the RCH. This presentation will detail the usefulness of CRMS and consider the importance of collaborative practice more broadly within a Multi-disciplinary team (MDT), highlighting the social work lens in this space.
Interventions:
All HITH staff who have attended a CRM were invited to participate in an online survey to assess their perception of the benefits of the CRM process, and identify the main psychosocial and medical issues discussed. The social worker is well placed both within the CRM and in one to one consults with staff, to be able to support and assess psychosocial complexity with the MDT and ensure robust communication processes occur. Using a collaborative and systemic lens the social worker supports staff in conducting comprehensive discharge planning; enhancing patient and staff safety.
Conclusions:
The HITH CRMs have provided a forum to share understanding of medical and psychosocial complexity and plan collaboratively for patients to return home. MDT staff report improved outcomes including a smooth and safe transition. Social work has been instrumental in assisting staff to think about how psychosocial complexity can best be responded to in the HITH setting.
Biography
Angela is a Senior Social Worker at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne and has worked as a qualified social worker within the community and at the RCH for over 18years. Angela has completed a Master of Advanced Social Work and a graduate diploma in Infant Mental health. Angela is passionate about improving care provided to paediatric patients and their families and currently works in the clinical area of Hospital in the Home.