Selena Ly
Selina is a Mental Health Clinician with the Dubbo Community Mental Health Team. Her professional journey started at Liverpool Hospital where she completed the Nursing New Graduate Program in both the medical and mental health units. As a result, this placement started her career with an acute awareness of the interconnections between mental and physical health.
Selina is grateful for the work and partnerships that both the teams at Dubbo Community Mental Health and Integrated Care in the Community have achieved in a short period with the Dubbo Emergency Department to Community program (EDC).
Abstract
Title: Beyond the Emergency Department- Dubbo 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 care collaboration with key stakeholders within the health system and local communities. The Dubbo EDC program became operational in February 2023, with Bathurst EDC program commencing in 2020.
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.
Improved access to physical health care and health coaching for individuals presenting predominantly with ill mental health/living with mental health disorders and increased access to mental health support for those living with chronic health conditions. Making the link between physical and mental health and how these can be concurrently managed at home.
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 physical, mental; 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.
