HKA Activities: Aug 05HKA Submission: The Review of the Mental Health Act 1990
Mr M Sterry
23 August 2005
Dear Sir
Listed below are some issues of paramount importance in creating the environment for just, appropriate and compassionate Mental Heath care delivery.
Legislate so that across all geographic Areas, the Mental Health Services response and ability to begin treatment is protected by legislation.
Legislate so that the criteria used to justify intervention, by Mental Health clinicians, includes intervention where the activities and behaviours of the Mentally III person are seriously damaging that person's reputation and/or ability to maintain employment or occupation, and/or are damaging that person's relationships - viz family, friends, community. This calls for early intervention where there are signs of Relapse beginning.
Legislate so that those involved in providing the support network - carers, families - for the Mentally III person, have rights to have input into discussion and planning of the Mental Health and recovery care of the person whom they assist.
Other issues of equal importance are:
Treatment of patient wholistically - recognise the need to identify illness, both mental and physical, and all aspects of being human: social; emotional; educational.
Continuation of the support and contact by the Mental Health Service, after crisis and/or Discharge from Hospital.
Education for clients about the illness, its treatments and expectations of same.
Education for clients about the functions of the Mental Health services, the potential for" recovery, and avenues for accessing Mental Health Clinicians and support.
Education for Carers and Families - as above (for clients).
The possibility of legalising an Advanced Care Plan - an agreement made by the patient when well - to initiate intervention with Mental Health care if the patient becomes mentally ill.
Police and Mental Health Service Agreement - recognition of the need for a CrossAgency Plan to decide how best to give the Mentally III person timely access to best care.
The importance of having up-to-date, attractive/comfortable purpose-built facilities for both clients and staff, e.g. separate specialty Units for Child and Adolescent, Aged Care, Adult and Step Up - Step Down Units.
Financial - Government Health Budgets must be allocated so that the financial support covers the big picture of Mental Health Care - not just parts and patches.
One of the most crucial problems in ensuring good Mental Health care is in attracting clinicians and Doctors to work and stay in Mental Health. By attending to the previously stated issues, by employing support staff, e.g. administrative/secretarial, etc; this would attract more clinical staff; would translate into more community support for patients, thus decreasing the demand for hospital inpatient beds.
We need to move further away from the scenario where a Mentally III person must reach crisis point before intervention occurs, and closer to Earlier Intervention.
Thank you for recognising the urgent need for action for Mental Health.
Yours sincerely
(For and behalf of)
Judith Thompson (Mrs) Carer |
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