mental health drug & alcohol news - nslhd home · mental health drug & alcohol 28 march...

Mental Health Drug & Alcohol

28 March 2017

www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au

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News

Nadia and Mandy—Stepping On falls prevention—page 4

headspace rocks Mardi Gras—page 6

New Northern Beaches Hospital—page 5

Directors report Congratula ons to several of our long serving staff who were

recently presented with their Apprecia on for Service cer ficates. Sue Capel, Mark Joyce, Maureen Fechter and Lyn Longfoot all received recogni on for 25 years of service. They were all unable to a end the

me in service awards held late last year, and so were presented with their cer ficates recently.

The Mental Health Commissions’ Check-up from the Neck-up ini a ve will be happening at this years’ Roayl Easter Show a er its success during mental health month last year. Clinicians from across our service will be once again par cipa ng.

Check-Up from the Neck-Up is to make people aware that focussing on our mental wellbeing, whether we have a mental illness or not, is a way we can improve both our own lives and our community.

Check-up from the Neck-up has a primary purpose to educate the

public about mental health to reduce s gma and encourage help seeking.

It is not an exercise in diagnosis or treatment. However, a screening tool approved by the Black Dog Ins tute will be used.

Finally, I’d like to say a big happy Interna onal Social Work day to my fellow social workers in our service. Interna onal Social Work day was on March 21. We employ a number of talented social workers across our service, and appreciate the value they add, par cularly towards a service philosophy founded in recovery.

Andrea Taylor Director, Mental Health Drug & Alcohol

Spread the good news Share your news, achievements and events with your colleagues, or let us know what you’d like to hear more about in the newsle er.

Contact Kate Jeffrey at [email protected] or on 88775340 to submit your story.

Publica on is at the discre on of the editor. Items may be edited for length, style and quality.

Congratula ons to Jane Millar, appointed Manager Centre for Educa on and Talent Development—Mental Health Drug & Alcohol. Jane brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in the MHDA context, and has recent and relevant experience in educa on and management.

New Manager CETD MHDA

Pictured above: Lyn Longfoot, MHDA Complaints Manager with Andrea Taylor.

Pictured above, from le to right: Kingsley Waterson, Director Drug & Alcohol (holding Sue Capel’s award), Mark Joyce, Director of Nursing MHDA and Maureen Fechter, Service Director and Site Manager, Macquarie Hospital.

Page 1 | NSLHD Mental Health Drug & Alcohol News

Music in medicine Dr Ivy Kwon, a psychiatry registrar at Royal North Shore Hospital, performed in the NSW Doctors Orchestra annual concert on March 19.

Dr Kwon said: “The concert went well.”

“Dame Marie Bashir is our patron and she played violin with us in the orchestra, which was really special.”

Dr Kwon started playing clarinet at age 8, and joined the Doctors Orchestra in 2015.

Any medical student or doctor is welcome to apply.

There is usually an annual concert, around March to May.

For more information, including photos and performance recordings see:

www.nswdo.net.au Picture (right) of Dr Ivy Kwon, taken by Virginia Young, published in the Mosman Daily, 16 March 2017, page 35.

The words you speak or write immediately tell people if you have hope for their future and their recovery. Language is powerful, and can have a big impact on someone’s recovery and sense of hope.

Mental health recovery is defined as “being able to create and live a meaningful and contribu ng life in a community of choice with or without the presence of mental health issues” (Na onal Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services, 2013).

In MHDA the use of recovery oriented language in formal documenta on is mandated. Word choice must reflect support of mental health recovery.

This includes iden fying those with lived experience of mental illness accessing MDHA services consistently using the terms ‘consumer’, ‘young person’ and ‘older person’ in all formal documenta on such as

policies, procedures, guidelines and publica ons.

The following nota on should also be included in all formal documenta on, which acknowledges the importance of language and that not everyone will iden fy with all aspects of language used:

MHDA acknowledges that language is powerful, and individuals ascribe different meanings to language. The philosophy of recovery oriented service provision asserts using person first language.

Individuals receiving services from MHDA should be referred to as ‘person/people with mental illness’ or ‘person/people with lived experience of mental health challenges’. For the purposes of formal

wri en documenta on, MHDA uses the term ‘consumer’. It is also iden fied that young person or older person be used where appropriate for specific popula on groups and service contexts.

When formal documenta on is reviewed, language should also be considered, to ensure the choice of words reflects the recovery focus MHDA is commi ed to.

For further informa on please contact Lyndal Sherwin, Clinical Rehabilita on Manager, MHDA via email: [email protected]

What story are you telling?


Mental Health Act

Form 1 is completed by an appropriate doctor as described in the Act, and is used by a legal tribunal. It addresses the ma ers previously covered in the form ‘Report as to Mental State of a Detained Person – Sec on 27A’. The amended Form 1 is now available on the Health NSW website:

h p://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/legisla on.aspx

April is Falls Preven on and Awareness Month. Falls are everyone’s business, and so everybody is encouraged to promote falls awareness.

Did you know that everyone admi ed to hospital must have an Ontario Falls Risk Assessment completed within eight hours of admission? Further assessment should be completed where indicated.

To learn more about falls, staff are encouraged to complete the Falls Preven on educa on modules available on HETI Online.

There is also a free seminar and expo being held for community service providers and health staff who work with older people at Hornsby RSL Club on Tuesday May 2, from 8.30am –

1pm. The seminar will look at sarcopenia and falls preven on.

Falls related policies can be found on the NSLHD Intranet, including:

PO2008_001 Falls Preven on & Management - NSLHD

PR2014-032 Falls Preven on and Management—MHDA

PR2013_003 Bedrails Use of for Adult Inpa ent—NSLHD

GE2016_022 Falls Risk and Non Slip Socks

The Clinical Excellence Commission also provides several falls preven on resources, suitable for staff, consumers and carers. See: h p://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/pa ent-safety-programs/adult-pa ent-safety/falls-preven on

Last year in April Falls Month there were some wonderful promo onal events held throughout the service. This year, SMHSOP teams will be invited to par cipate in weekly quizzes, with an opportunity to win a small prize. The NSLHD Inpa ent Acute/ Sub acute Falls Commi ee are also running a compe on with a prize for the winning team to purchase falls preven on equipment. To be in the running, teams need to complete an applica on form describing how they have prevented falls or raised awareness of falls in their ward or team in the last year.

For further informa on contact your local Falls Commi ee Representa ve, Kerrie Cunningham (CNC3 SMHSOP) [email protected] or Margaret Armstrong (NSLHD Falls Preven on Co-ordinator) [email protected]


Stepping on falls prevention in Ryde adult mental health A specialist falls preven on program is changing outcomes for mental health consumers in the 55—65 year age group at Ryde.

Mandy Meehan (Occupa onal Therapist / Team Leader, Ryde SMHSOP) and Nadia Williams (NSLHD Stepping On Coordinator) have successfully implemented the Stepping On program in the Ryde Specialist Mental Health Service for Older People (SMHSOP) since their first group in 2013.

They now have set their sights on implemen ng the program for younger adults.

Stepping On (Clemson & Swann, 2009) is an evidence based falls preven on program that is specifically designed to increase confidence using a cogni ve behavioural approach that promotes self efficacy. The program has shown a 31% reduc on in falls, while improving health and wellbeing.

There is substan al evidence that the risk factors for chronic physical disease, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, are higher among people living with severe and persistent mental illness than in the general popula on, resul ng in significantly reduced life expectancy by 15 to 20 years (ABS 2008, 2012). Because of this, many people with a lived experience of mental health challenges present as ‘func onally older’ than their chronological years.

A number of physical health issues seen in mental health have also been

linked to an increased rate of falls, such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy and cardiovascular disease.

These known falls risk factors and poor physical health help explain why adults aged over 55 years with severe and persistent mental illness, experience falls.

In 2015 Stepping On was run for consumers of the Ryde Asser ve Outreach Team. This was followed by another group in 2016.

At the 7th Biennial Australian and New Zealand Falls Preven on Conference in Melbourne, in November 2016, Mandy and Nadia presented a poster showing results from delivering Stepping On to younger consumers. This followed on from a number of other conference posters and presenta ons since 2013. Most recently in the falls preven on space the team have commenced a Clinical Prac ce Improvement project (CPI) looking at how staff view falls risk within the 55-65 year aged group. This project is led by Diane Grayshon (RN – Ryde SMHSOP).

Stepping On has proven very effec ve at reducing falls, reducing anxiety and increasing par cipant confidence.

For more informa on about Stepping On see: www.steppingon.com

Factors that increase falls risk

• Being depressed or anxious.

• Being on mul ple medica ons, especially an psycho cs and an depressants.

• Physical health issues including diabetes, obesity, smoking, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Pictured, top (le to right): Diane Grayshon and Mandy Meehan; bo om (le to right) Mandy Meehan, Paula Hanlon, Diane Grayshon and Rosie Boardman talking falls at recent consumer health forums.


Hundreds of staff have now taken a tour of Northern Beaches Hospital construc on site to see for themselves how the build is progressing.

Staff from mental health, along with a number of other departments, visited during March.

Northern Beaches Mental Health Service (NBMHS) Director Chris ne Frew said: “The tour was really beneficial. We were able to get a be er understanding of the layout in terms of scale and pa ent flow, which will have a posi ve influence on the ideas we put forward to Healthscope in designing models of care.”

In spite of the deluge of rain, construc on remains on schedule.

In terms of jobs, workforce informa on centre sta ons have commenced at Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals. They give staff an opportunity to drop-in and ask questions about employment at the Northern Beaches Hospital, including transfer processes.

Touring the new Northern Beaches hospital

Above le : Kate Jeffrey, MHDA Engagement Manager, and Chris ne Frew, Director, Northern Beaches Mental Health Service. Above right: Assoc Professor Jagmohan Gilhotra, Clinical Director, Northern Beaches Mental Health Service

Above: The tour group from Northern Beaches Health Service on March 7.

Applying an ‘Aboriginal health lens’ to all health service policies and programs is one way we are working to close the gap. To support all staff in doing this, NSW Health released the Aboriginal Health Impact Statement in February 2017.

The Aboriginal Health Impact Statement aims to:

• Embed careful considera on of the health needs of Aboriginal people at an early stage in the process of revision or development of policies, programs and strategies

• Guide the examina on and assessment of the health system in rela on to Aboriginal health to iden fy opportuni es to improve access to healthcare and respond to poten al barriers

• Reduce dispari es in healthcare for Aboriginal people by ensuring that policies and programs strive to achieve equity for Aboriginal people, and ac vely monitor and evaluate outcomes

• Support NSW Health staff and organisa ons to develop effec ve partnerships and strategies to meaningfully engage with Aboriginal stakeholders and communi es.

The Aboriginal Health Impact Statement can be accessed on the NSW Health website: www0.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2017/PD2017_004.html

If you have any ques ons regarding applica on of the Statement, please contact Peter Shine, Director of Aboriginal Health NSLHD, on [email protected]

Aboriginal Health Impact Statement


headspace: they’ve got your back


A group of young people and staff from headspace Brookvale and Chatswood marched alongside headspace groups from all over Australia to form a spectacular green finale to the 39th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on March 4.

Armed with posi vity and placards, the group took to Sydney’s Oxford Street in support of this year’s theme ‘Crea ng Equality’.

The Mardi Gras parade was an opportunity for those who marched to show their support, share their pride, and celebrate their own diversity.

One young person from the group said: “That was the best experience of my life!”

headspace Brookvale’s Community Engagement Officer, Michelle Walsh, said: “The high-fives and cheers from

the crowd made the young people marching feel so happy and proud to be themselves; the overwhelming sense of acceptance and self-worth they felt was truly wonderful.” headspace is a safe space for young people aged 12—25 years, where they can access early interven on mental health services, physical and sexual health services, employment counselling and alcohol and other drugs counselling.

During the last quarter of 2016, 16% of young people a ending headspace Brookvale, and 28% a ending headspace Chatswood iden fied as Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI).

“While sexuality and gender don’t cause mental health issues, unfortunately the social pressures of iden fying as LGBTQI can have a

nega ve impact on a young person’s mental health and wellbeing” Rheza Tan, Service Manager for headspace Brookvale and Chatswood said.

Both local headspace centres run social support programs for LGBTQI young people in the community and all staff undergo training to help them be er understand and assist with the specific challenges facing young people who iden fy as LGBTQI.

headspace Brookvale and Chatswood are a part of NSLHD Child and Youth Mental Health Service. For more informa on regarding headspace services and or LGBTQI Peer Support Groups contact Brookvale on 02 9937 6500 / [email protected]

Chatswood on 02 8021 3668 / [email protected]

Or online: www.headspace.org.au

A huge congratula ons to all MHDA Transi onal Registered Nurses (TRNs) who graduated from the Transi on to Specialty Prac ce Program on February 10.

The gradua on provided an opportunity for the TRNs to relax, reflect and appreciate what they have achieved in comple ng the program. Ellen Brown from the Acute Care Team at Hornsby was awarded Outstanding TRN for 2016.

Inspiring speeches were delivered by Wisdom, Sam and Ruth.

Jane Millar, program coordinator, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the TRNs, and see them grow and develop.”

Transi on to Speciality Prac ce is an intensive twelve month program to assist clinicians specialise in mental health.

Applica ons for the program open in June. Contact the MHDA Educa on team for more informa on at NSLHD-MHDAEduca [email protected] Pictured below: the gradua ng TRNs with Suzy Glover (far le ), Mark Joyce, Director of Nursing MHDA (back le ), and Jane Millar, Manager Educa on (second from right).

Transitional Registered Nurses

graduation A series of prac cal workshops have been designed to support the professional development of managers within the health service.

Within each workshop, managers have an opportunity to prac se their people management skills, update themselves on the latest policies and procedures, and network with other managers across the district.

One of the par cipants said: “I found the learning tools useful and I will definitely refer to them in my role.”

Following is a list of the upcoming prac cal workshops available in April:

Recrui ng People: a prac cal workshop that supports managers to recruit talented people to join their teams.

New Managers Orienta on: covers managing and leading at NSLHD, managing performance and discipline, managing leave, work health & safety obliga ons, employee services including Stafflink, health roster, IIMS, open disclosure and complaints, and delega ons and managing a budget.

Developing People’s Performance (PRIDE): learn to manage and develop people; as well as iden fy and develop talent.

Resolving Conflict and Grievance: learn to empower people to take responsibility for issues and their resolu ons, ul mately improving workplace rela onships.

Resolving Unsa sfactory Performance: a prac cal workshop designed to support managers to manage employees with unsa sfactory performance.

To register your a endance: visit the ‘Our CORE Values’ intranet page to access the flyer for each workshop; access HETI Online, search for the workshop tle and click to enrol.

Plenty of opportuni es are available throughout 2017.

For further informa on on the Manager’s Toolkit, contact [email protected]

The Managers Toolkit


Compliments Save the date Afternoon Tea with Andrea 2017 Share a ernoon tea and hear what’s going on across the service and the state. Network with clinicians, managers, health service execu ve, consumers, carers and staff from local non-government and community managed organisa ons. RSVPs are essen al. More details will be available closer to the events. North Shore Ryde: Tuesday May 30, 2.30—4pm Macquarie Hospital: Monday July 3, 2.30—4pm Northern Beaches: Monday July 31, 2.30—4pm Hornsby Ku-ring-gai: Monday September 4, 2.30—4pm For more informa on contact Kate Jeffrey via email: [email protected]

NDIS Forum for Carers Free forum for mental health carers with experience of the NDIS to share their NDIS experience for the benefit of others.

Mental Health Carers NSW, Na onal Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Partners in Recovery, Uni ng Recovery, Northside Community Forum, NDIS Local Health Area Coordinator, Northern Sydney Carer Support Service and Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre staff will be answering ques ons and facilita ng group work sessions.

Registra on is essen al as places are limited.

When: Thursday April 6, 2017, 9.30am-1.00pm

Cost: free

Where: MHCN, Suite 501, Level 5, 80 William St,

Woolloomooloo, NSW, 2011

Register: h ps://www.trybooking.com/PJNW

Contact: Caitlin Bambridge, (02) 9332 0777,

[email protected]

Child & Youth Mental Health Service:

Thanks from the principals and staff from several local schools in response to the outcomes being achieved through the GOT IT! Program.

Thanks to a clinician in the Lower North Shore team from a family, complimen ng her respec ulness, professionalism and the support provided.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai:

Apprecia on for care delivered to a standard above and beyond the call of duty, as well for the excellent, accommoda ng and compassionate team in the Mental Health Intensive Care Unit (MHICU), with par cular men on to the Nursing Unit Manager for ensuring excep onal care is provided in the unit.

A hear elt and detailed le er was received from a consumer acknowledging the incredible role his social worker from the community acute care team has played in his life.

Thanks for the excep onal care provided were received from several consumers from the inpa ent unit, in the form of verbal thanks, boxes of chocolates and cards.

The professional and high standard of nursing care delivered by the Specialist Mental Health Service for Older People (SMHSOP) staff, from the SMHSOP community team social worker.

Thanks from the Occupa onal Therapy student who had a rewarding and suppor ve placement at Warrina House.

Compliments to the casual Peer Workers in the adult mental health unit for the friendly help they provided.

Northern Beaches:

Lots of posi ve feedback to the extended Hours, acute, sub acute & PECC teams for the amazing care that is provided.

The Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre (PECC) received thanks, acknowledging the hard working staff for also being friendly, concerned and simply just great.

The wonderful work at East Wing was acknowledged by a former consumer,

Macquarie Hospital:

Macquarie Hospital staff gra tude for strong support in training.

Figtree Unit received a compliment from a family member for the treatment & care provided.


mental health drug & alcohol news - nslhd home · mental health drug & alcohol 28 march...

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