Reports: Mental Health Service Staff Education
Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital

Consumer and Carer Perspectives

In June 06, we were very happy to address the staff of the Mental Health Service as part of the regular in-house Education Program.

Judy Thompson gave an overview of our Association's history and activities and aims. It was an opportunity to emphasise the importance of the partnership which should exist between clients, carers and clinicians in working towards recovery from Mental Illness. It was an opportunity to stress the importance of communication between all parties to enable carers/families to supply the appropriate support that is a vital part of the process.

The session was very well attended by staff and executive staff from aII arms of the Service, and well received. It was a rewarding opportunity for HKA to raise awareness of our existence to the newer staff members, and to refresh our associations with those members of staff with whom we have worked over some years. It is to be hoped that the HKA brochures and Newsletters that we distributed will help the staff to a greater understanding of the support that our Association can offer to families dealing with Mental Health issues and will pass on our contact details. We hope that the fruitful partnership between our Association and our Mental Health service will continue to grow.

Consumer Participation Network Representative, LlZ STEWART, spoke of her role in representing the clients of the local Service, which now includes Central Coast. Liz has 30 years experience in Mental Health which has given her great insight into the needs of consumers of Mental Health Services. She stressed the importance of consumers taking an active part in the decisions and delivery of care for clients. "Nothing about me, without me" is a statement that Liz feels very strongly should be a tenet for care planning.

The CPN is a contact point for clients "run by consumers for consumers". The office is at Palmerston Centre, Hornsby Hospital. Phone: 02 9477 9705.The Network offers support in ways such as information on MH, forums for discussion and input; advocacy; visits to patients in the Wards of MHS, Hornsby Hospital. The Network liaises at Management Meetings with Executives of the MHS and representatives of HKA.

A recent initiative is the FUDGES program (Follow-up Discharge General Inquiries Support) aimed at providing support via a telephone call to consumers in the first month after Discharge from Hospital. Trained consumers will make the calls at this crucial time.

HKA and the Network have a good working relationship, side by side for a better, brighter future for Mental Health families.

J Thompson