Page 1162 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 4 May 2022
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integrated support for people with co-occurring mental health and alcohol or other drug issues at different levels of need.
In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in August 2021, MHJHADS set up a COVID-19 community response team, which included experienced mental health and drug and alcohol nurses who provided clinical support to people in quarantine and isolation. These nurses conducted assessments, provided support to people affected by substance use and dependence, and helped to manage withdrawal symptoms and mental health issues.
Based on the success of this initiative, the mental health and drug and alcohol nurses have joined the rapid evaluation and care in the home, or REaCH, team. This tri-service approach supports the primary health, mental health and drug and alcohol needs of people across the ACT who are in quarantine or isolation. The REaCH team is supporting clients in the community that may otherwise be without appropriate services and may require admission to hospital.
In the emergency department, consultation and liaison nurses across both the alcohol and drug and mental health services have increased their presence and are able to conduct assessments, provide support and referral to people affected by substance use, and help to manage any withdrawal symptoms for anyone presenting to the ED.
The mobile primary care outreach clinic is a new service established with joint funding by the ACT Health Directorate, Capital Health Network and John James Foundation. The mobile primary care outreach clinic—also known as PAT, pathways to assistance, or “Pat the Van”—is operated by Directions Health Services. This mobile outreach service provides weekly integrated primary care, appropriate acute care services—health, mental health and alcohol and other drug—and access to a range of supports to highly vulnerable people with complex service needs, at five locations across the ACT for free and without an appointment.
The ACT government has a long history of partnering with a broad range of dedicated and nation-leading community alcohol and other drug and mental health NGO services. The screening and assessment of mental health is a routine practice for community alcohol and other drug treatment providers and reflects a person-centred approach to working with people on co-occurring issues.
These services also provide support to access specialist mental health services where needed. A key example of a community partner service delivering integrated care is Ted Noffs, which includes a comprehensive mental health history and suicide assessment as part of the specialist alcohol and drug admission assessment.
Ted Noffs has a psychologist on staff who can assist young people attending the alcohol and other drug program with mental health issues as part of their treatment plan, with clinical treatment planning each week and consultation with a clinical psychologist. They also maintain joint management, consultation and liaison with Mental Health ACT and partnerships with other mental health services.
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