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FAIRNESS IN MENTAL HEALTH

FAIRNESS IN MENTAL HEALTH. PRESENTATION OUTLINE . Introduction to the Community Visitor Program Brief Policy Background Issues in the Territory Police Transport to Hospital Accommodation for people with complex needs General Discussion. COMMUNITY VISITOR PROGRAM.

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FAIRNESS IN MENTAL HEALTH

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  1. FAIRNESS IN MENTAL HEALTH

  2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE • Introduction to the Community Visitor Program • Brief Policy Background • Issues in the Territory • Police Transport to Hospital • Accommodation for people with complex needs • General Discussion

  3. COMMUNITY VISITOR PROGRAM • Established pursuant to Part 14 of the Mental Health & Related Services Act (NT) 1998 (the Act) • Complaints and Advocacy service for people receiving treatment under the Act and persons with a “genuine interest” in the person receiving treatment • Monitoring and Inspection of mental health services

  4. COMMUNITY VISITOR PROGRAM • Community visitors • Complaints and advocacy • Inspection – seclusion & complaints registers • Visiting • Community visitors panels • Six monthly visits to the approved treatment facilities

  5. Policy Background • Need to strike a balance between the right to self determination and the community’s right to safety and the obligation to protect from harm • Principle of the Least Restrictive Alternative • Balances rights and obligations • Achieves the state’s end by the most narrow means

  6. LEAST RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVE Least restrictive, least intrusive treatment in the least restrictive environment • Voluntary treatment - involuntary treatment • Closed ward - open ward • Treatments • Counselling – Medication – Other (eg ECT) • Hospital - home

  7. LEAST RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVE Whether an intervention takes place in accordance with the least restrictive alternative depends on the situation and the person in the situation

  8. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Accommodation and Support for People with Complex Needs Issue In Alice Springs in 2006 – 2007 Financial Year, 20% bed space in the 8 bed Unit was used to support people with dual disability who had recovered from an acute phase of mental illness, but who could not access alternative accommodation due to their support needs

  9. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Accommodation and Support for People with Complex Needs Issue In the past two years, three separate people have been inpatient in the Mental Health Unit for longer than 9 months.

  10. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Accommodation and Support for People with Complex Needs Issue • More restrictive environment • Problems with absconding  seclusion • High level of institutionalisation • Impact on other clients • Numbers in the Unit • Unit locked

  11. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Accommodation and Support for People with Complex Needs Barriers to Resolution • Cost of alternative secure facility • Insufficient community accommodation • Difficulties with • Funding • Recruitment and retention of staff

  12. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Accommodation and Support for People with Complex Needs Ways Forward to a Fairer, More Inclusive, Less Restrictive System • Panel investigation and comment – Alice Springs • Role of Alice Springs community • NTCOSS/NT Shelter • Mental Health Association of Central Australia

  13. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Police Transport to Hospital Issue • Routine transport to hospital by police • Transport in the cage of the police vehicle

  14. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Police Transport to Hospital Issue • More restrictive than transport to hospital by family, mental health staff or ambulance • Breach of the right to be treated with dignity and respect – neighbours • Safety implications of transport in the cage

  15. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Police Transport to Hospital Issue • S10 (b) of the Act provides: Where the person needs to be taken to an approved treatment facility or into custody for assessment, the assistance of a member of the Police Force is to be sought only as a last resort and there is no other means of taking the person to the approved treatment facility or into custody;

  16. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Police Transport to Hospital Barriers to change • Culture • Lack of alternatives

  17. ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY Police Transport to Hospital Ways Forward to a Fairer, More Inclusive, Less Restrictive System • National Transport Principles • Changing culture • Consumers and their families • Police and Mental Health staff • Community organisations

  18. General Discussion Over to you …. And thankyou

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