Media Statement from Counties Manukau DHB

Media Statement from Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB)

22.10.03

Counties Manukau District Health Board accepts the findings of the section 95 inquiry into adequacy and timing of the services provided to Paul Ellis and his family and that the findings are an accurate presentation of the situation as it existed at the time of Mr Ellis? (Snr) death. CMDHB would also like to take this opportunity to again express condolences to the Ellis family.

CMDHB is using the recommendations of the section 95 Inquiry to direct the changes that we have made and are making to service delivery, process and structure.

We believe that the actions that we have taken are helping to close the system gaps that were identified in the section 95 Inquiry. Further, the last two years has seen an additional $9.5 million come to CMDHB as we move towards blueprint equity and the historic mental health under-funding is addressed.

The service developments that we have undertaken are underpinned by an overall philosophy that emphasises:

Community oriented treatment and care

Integrated services that together provide a ?continuum of care?

Services that focus on Consumer needs

Quality

Services that target treatment for people with the greatest need and severity of illness.

The development of a system of care that is better integrated with NGO, primary care and other social services.

The practical steps we have taken to improve the services we provide and to remedy deficits that the report highlighted are summarised below:

Structural changes:

Establishment of Service Manager and Clinical Head roles that span the range of inpatient and community services

Aligning inpatient teams with community teams to enhance relationships.

Integrating some key staff in both inpatient and community teams to improve continuity of care

Service development initiatives including the establishment of:

Two assertive community treatment teams

A Maori for Maori clinical team

A Pacific for Pacific clinical team

An Early Intervention for Psychosis team

A workforce recruitment /retention capacity building project.

a mental Health Development team to maximise service improvement potential both in existing and new services

Quality Process/Documentation changes include:

The completion of movement to a ?one patient file? system

Revised documentation, now standardised across all parts of service, in line with mental health standards

Improved care planning processes, involving inpatient and community staff

Improved processes for engaging and involving family/whanau

Improved quality audit and accreditation processes

Improved training and supervision for staff

Enhanced support and facilitation of leadership development

Service developments pending include:

Core Adult service development projects aimed at improving the quality and access to mental health services

The establishment of a clinical quality forum

An enhanced consumer advisory team

As the clinical provider of services we are actively involved in the development of a sector-wide approach to mental health service improvement and development. These developments include a range of projects facilitated by the Mental Health Development team to increase the continuity of care and improve the alignment between the various service components and the community. A Mental Health and Addiction Network Local Stakeholder Committee provides an effective forum to plan for positive change and service improvement.

ENDS

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