Page 679 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 February 2020
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amounts of sedation to manage their aggression, their transfer to the AMHU requires medical supervision by an ED physician and transport by ACT Ambulance Service, rather than by routine CHS transport. The services are working together on a plan to manage these people including consideration of individual management plans for known high risk individuals.
Significant work has also been undertaken in the Adult Community Mental Health Services area to refocus on hospital diversion and intensive home care.
(2) Canberra Hospital Emergency Department (ED) is the only gazetted ED in the ACT and therefore must accept and assess all consumers who present to the ED under the Mental Health Act either under an Emergency Action (EA) or a S309 referred from the Courts.
There has been a 137 per cent increase in mental health presentations to the Emergency Department (ED) at the Canberra Hospital then was reported in 2014-15.
(3) A collaborative piece of work is underway which involves Canberra Health Services, Calvary Public Hospital Bruce and the ACT Health Directorate to focus on the enhancement of the mental health services in ACT, integrating acute, rehabilitation and community services as the ACT continues to be an increasingly contemporary mental health service.
A new Model of Care for Community Mental Health is almost approaching one year of a staged roll out of services. This has included the development and implementation of the Home Assessment and Rapid Response Team (HARRT). This provides more intensive home-based services for people experiencing acute mental health difficulties. In addition, the ACT is committed to trialling the PACER model in which there will be more assertive responses to people experiencing mental health crises by bringing together a joint response, as needed, by mental health, ambulance and police services.
(4) This is not a view shared by all local Fellows. There are undoubtedly challenges facing mental health services, both locally and nationally, including in particular increased demand for services, increased acuity of presentations, as well as work force pressures. These issues are not unique to Canberra, but it is recognised that the last couple of years have had particular challenges, especially with regard to medical workforce, which we are actively seeking to address.
(5) Canberra Health Services is not aware of any annual or study leave regularly been refused. Staff have been asked at program level to discuss with each other plans for leave in order to ensure that services are covered.
(6) Canberra Health Services recognise the family and other personal commitments of all its employees. Staff are encouraged to regularly take annual leave, rostered days off (RDO) and use flex time. As per the Enterprise Bargaining Agreements staff can apply for flexible working hours and reduce hours.
(7) The College wrote to the Chief Minister in October 2019 urging the Government to look at three key areas:
• Workforce, recruitment and retention of psychiatrists;
• Mental Health Care in Emergency Departments; and
• Further funding for acute and non-acute beds.
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