Mental health revamp
A NEW psychiatrist has been hired and additional staff training has begun at a North Queensland mental health service following a scathing review into its operations.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service Board has received a comprehensive update on steps taken to improve the care provided by the Charters Towers Community Mental Health Service.
At their April 3 meeting, board members noted an update on progress of implementing the findings of an independent review.
Immediate changes have included bringing in a locum psychiatrist to “enhance the medical presence within the team”.
End- of- day case file debriefs have also begun to directly discuss clinical cases and determine future clinical care as well as additional training.
“These were some important steps to take early in this rollout to improve the care being provided,” acting Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said.
In February, the Bulletin re- vealed the independent review by Shirley Wigan into the Charters Towers Community Mental Health Service found serious gaps in care.
The service, which is also embroiled in a bullying scandal, was slammed in the review for having inadequate resources, failing to record patients’ interactions with clinicians and neglecting to have psychiatrists provide case reviews.
It also found the service had a high turnover of staff, with eight different team leaders appointed in two years.
The board had formally endorsed all 37 recommendations made by the review.
Townsville Hospital and Health Board chair Tony Mooney said he was pleased with the progress made so far.
“I’ve made a commitment to the community of North Queensland that improving this service is a priority,” Mr Mooney said.
“This review gave us a clear plan to improve this service and we remain on track to complete that work.”
Mr Keyes said he has received the final Ashdale report into workplace bullying.
But the one recommendation will not yet be made public. “This is an important internal process and I will advise the community of its outcome once complete,” Mr Keyes said.