Together we are more – where collaboration between Health and Community Managed Organisations results in improved outcomes for mental health.
Fiona Hall1, Karen Thomas2, Marea Webb3, Alana Aspinall4, Rebekah Lewis5, Denise Cumming6, Kylie Garrick7, Jillian Vella8
1Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
2Neami National, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3Division of Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs, Darling Downs Mental Health Services, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia4Community Care Unit, Darling Downs Health Services, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
5Rehabilitation and Recovery Service, Darling Downs Health Services, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
6Mind Australia, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
7Metro North Mental Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
8Metro North Mental Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Background: In Queensland, Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs (MHAOD) services are entering into service level agreements with Community Managed Organisations (CMOs) to provide a range of psychosocial support services to complement those provided by clinical mental health services. The Referring for a Community Support Activity in Mental Health (RCSAiMH) Model of Care (Moc) was established to improve referral processes between Queensland Health and CMO partner organisations. A key component of the MoC was the development of a toolkit for co-located services to formalise referral processes. The toolkit consisted of a practice guideline, implementation resources and education program to inform and embed referral practices and documentation.
Method: The toolkit was implemented and evaluated at selected locations across Queensland. The evaluation employed a mixed methods pre / post design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data collection was via focus groups and included Allied Health Professionals and staff of CMOs at the study sites. The evaluation focused on staff perceptions and experience of implementing the RCSAiMH toolkit.
Results: The introduction and implementation of the MoC provided a more structured approach to the referral process and work practices between MHAOD services and CMO resulting in greater clarity around the roles and responsibilities of each organisation, enhanced opportunity for employees to work to scope, and a more collaborative care pathway with improved flow.
Discussion: The importance of a partnership model with collaborative care planning has resulted in improved outcomes for consumers and staff. The toolkit is available to be shared with other jurisdictions.
Biography
Fiona Hall | Queensland Health
Fiona is a clinical psychologist experienced in allied health workforce strategy at the statewide level, leading strategic workforce design and capacity development planning, change management, and service workforce reform and redesign. She has senior leadership experience providing clinical service delivery, professional and operational management of allied health teams in complex service environments, with business, quality, and safety improvement in health priority areas, in rural/ regional context. Fiona has a background in clinical practice in public and private sectors.
Karen Thomas | Director – Community Connection and Wellbeing, Neami National
Karen has over 24 years’ experience working in the Mental Health Community Sector; across Victoria, Tasmania and for the past 17 years in Queensland.
Karen has an adaptive and transformational leadership style resulting in the ability to work in uncertainty and ambiguity to discover new ways forward, which lends itself to the current environment of change and reform. Karen considers responsible leadership is based on creating robust, supportive, respectful and trusted working relationships. Karen sits on several local networks across Queensland and is an elected Director on the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (Peak) Board.
Karen is committed to ensuring a person-centred approach in all programs, and in promoting inclusive engagement with the people who use our services to shape and develop services that meet their needs. Karen is also supportive of the mental health sector in Queensland, not only in navigating new reforms but in thriving in the new environment. Karen is the Director – Community Connection and Wellbeing for Neami National.
Leonie McAuliffe | Service Manager, Sub-Acute Residential – Mind Australia
Leonie has over a decade of experience working in the Disability and Mental Health Community Sector throughout Queensland.
Leonie has provided leadership within sub-acute settings since 2017, working alongside government agencies to achieve outcomes with clients, their families and communities. Leonie’s visionary and strategic leadership style motivates her to foster environments that are both purposeful and measurable, but that also celebrate innovation and change.
Leonie is dedicated to the establishment, promotion and fostering of strong partnerships within the sector, with the mindset that collaboration and genuine synergy are the cornerstone to client and community outcomes. Leonie sits on a number of organisational committees to support the development and refining of policy and procedure to contribute to wider system change.
Marea Webb | Director Allied Health Mental Health, Division of Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs – Darling Downs Health
Marea is an Occupational Therapist by background with skills, knowledge & experience in a variety of clinical services and settings within QLD Health for over 30 years.
In her current role she provides leadership, support, advocacy and strategic direction for allied health workforce and service delivery in mental health.