Lucy Rolek
Lucy has worked within the Adult Acute Mental Health team for the past 15 years. During this time she has worked across the acute care sector, in case management and as a clinical nurse educator. She is currently the team leader for Adult acute mental health Dubbo and Region. This role covers all of our regional sites including Wellington, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Bourke, Brewarrina, Lightening Ridge, Warren, Nyngan, Narromine as well as our Dubbo team in the community , as well as the CL’s working in the ED department. Lucy is passionate about ensuring that people with mental health issues receive the best possible care in the community and that her staff are supported to be able to provide care effectively.
Abstract
Title: Beyond the Emergency Department - Emergency department to community program
Author(s): Leanne Stimpson
Introduction: Emergency Department to Community Program (EDC) supports people who frequently present to ED with intersecting complex physical, social and mental health needs. Individuals are linked with appropriate community based health and social service providers. Mental Health and Integrated Care clinicians, facilitate collaboration with key stakeholders within the health system and local communities. In Western NSW Local Health District, the Bathurst EDC program rollout began in 2020, ceased in August 2021 (due to COVID) and recommenced in Feb 2022. The Dubbo EDC program became operational in February 2023.
Method: A Holistic and Person Centred Model of Care is utilised to address various physical, social, cultural and mental health needs that significantly impact the health and social wellbeing of the individual. It includes identifying the target cohort through multiple entry points, assessment, care planning, case conferencing, interventions, monitoring and transfer of care. Multidisciplinary and multisectorial shared care planning is a key element of the Model, with families/carers included in support planning.
Results & Findings: "Improves individual’s care experience through culturally safe, timely, and appropriate resource allocation. Achieved by driving care in the community; connecting people to the right care in the right place, at the right time.
Strengthens stakeholder’s experience of providing care through pathway development, shared care planning and goal setting. Provides opportunities for clinicians to share expertise through collaboration.
Improves efficacy of care by reducing avoidable presentations to ED with a monetary saving and meeting individual holistic health needs."
Discussion: The robust partnership between Mental Health and Integrated Care fosters positive health outcomes for people with complex health and social needs with an effective use of resources. This provides individuals with the appropriate social and emotional supports which is vital for self-empowerment.
