SHaWS – An Innovative, Multi-Disciplinary Model for AOD, Mental Health and Primary Health Concerns
Tracks
Balcony 1+2 - In Person Only
| Thursday, November 10, 2022 |
| 1:45 PM - 2:05 PM |
Overview
Tim Ireson, Directions Health Services and Simon Sadler, Grand Pacific Health
Speaker
Mr Tim Ireson
SE NSW Services Manager
Directions Health Services
SHaWS – An Innovative, Multi-Disciplinary Model for AOD, Mental Health and Primary Health Concerns
Abstract
SHaWS – A Multi-Disciplinary AOD, Mental Health and Primary Health Service in Southern NSW
The Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) is an innovative, cross-sector model of care providing holistic, integrated AOD, mental health and primary health services, and case management, to vulnerable community members with substance use concerns across the Bega Valley region in SE NSW.
With a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, services are delivered by AOD and mental health clinicians, Aboriginal health workers, GPs, nurses and allied health clinicians, working across NGO services, private practices and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, in collaboration with Local Health District services.
This cross-sector innovation promotes a ‘no wrong door’ approach, where an individual with substance use concerns can access the SHaWS service through any facet of the consortium, undertake holistic assessment, and be treatment-matched with the intervention level and treatment components best suited to their needs. The stepped model of care allows the intensity of support to be stepped up or down, relative to the clients’ changing needs.
SHaWS recognises that AOD issues do not develop in isolation from other life circumstances and, therefore, cannot be addressed in isolation. Noting the frequent co-occurrence of AOD issues with other comorbidities, particularly mental health and primary health, SHaWS offers a suite of treatment options, offered concurrently, with flexible and intuitive integration of services. Of all SHaWS clients assessed, 70% had previously been diagnosed with a mental health issue. In the four weeks preceding assessment, 66% indicated experiencing mental health issues causing them problems at least weekly and 48% experienced physical health issues.
SHaWs aims to support individuals to address their AOD concerns and comorbid mental and physical health issues through engagement with an integrated service, and accessible through multi-faceted and supported pathways.
The Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) is an innovative, cross-sector model of care providing holistic, integrated AOD, mental health and primary health services, and case management, to vulnerable community members with substance use concerns across the Bega Valley region in SE NSW.
With a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, services are delivered by AOD and mental health clinicians, Aboriginal health workers, GPs, nurses and allied health clinicians, working across NGO services, private practices and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, in collaboration with Local Health District services.
This cross-sector innovation promotes a ‘no wrong door’ approach, where an individual with substance use concerns can access the SHaWS service through any facet of the consortium, undertake holistic assessment, and be treatment-matched with the intervention level and treatment components best suited to their needs. The stepped model of care allows the intensity of support to be stepped up or down, relative to the clients’ changing needs.
SHaWS recognises that AOD issues do not develop in isolation from other life circumstances and, therefore, cannot be addressed in isolation. Noting the frequent co-occurrence of AOD issues with other comorbidities, particularly mental health and primary health, SHaWS offers a suite of treatment options, offered concurrently, with flexible and intuitive integration of services. Of all SHaWS clients assessed, 70% had previously been diagnosed with a mental health issue. In the four weeks preceding assessment, 66% indicated experiencing mental health issues causing them problems at least weekly and 48% experienced physical health issues.
SHaWs aims to support individuals to address their AOD concerns and comorbid mental and physical health issues through engagement with an integrated service, and accessible through multi-faceted and supported pathways.
Biography
Tim Ireson, SE NSW Services Manager, has worked for Directions Health Services for the last 11 years, managing outpatient counselling and case management services in both the ACT and NSW. Prior to that Tim worked in the Youth Sector across several therapeutic roles. Most recently Tim has had a lead role in establishing and overseeing the management of the Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service in the Bega Valley.
Qualifications include: B.Soc.Sci.; Dip.YWk
Simon Sadler
Aboriginal Health and Integrated Care Manager
Grand Pacific Health
SHaWS – An Innovative, Multi-Disciplinary Model for AOD, Mental Health and Primary Health Concerns
Abstract
SHaWS – A Multi-Disciplinary AOD, Mental Health and Primary Health Service in Southern NSW
The Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) is an innovative, cross-sector model of care providing holistic, integrated AOD, mental health and primary health services, and case management, to vulnerable community members with substance use concerns across the Bega Valley region in SE NSW.
With a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, services are delivered by AOD and mental health clinicians, Aboriginal health workers, GPs, nurses and allied health clinicians, working across NGO services, private practices and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, in collaboration with Local Health District services.
This cross-sector innovation promotes a ‘no wrong door’ approach, where an individual with substance use concerns can access the SHaWS service through any facet of the consortium, undertake holistic assessment, and be treatment-matched with the intervention level and treatment components best suited to their needs. The stepped model of care allows the intensity of support to be stepped up or down, relative to the clients’ changing needs.
SHaWS recognises that AOD issues do not develop in isolation from other life circumstances and, therefore, cannot be addressed in isolation. Noting the frequent co-occurrence of AOD issues with other comorbidities, particularly mental health and primary health, SHaWS offers a suite of treatment options, offered concurrently, with flexible and intuitive integration of services. Of all SHaWS clients assessed, 70% had previously been diagnosed with a mental health issue. In the four weeks preceding assessment, 66% indicated experiencing mental health issues causing them problems at least weekly and 48% experienced physical health issues.
SHaWs aims to support individuals to address their AOD concerns and comorbid mental and physical health issues through engagement with an integrated service, and accessible through multi-faceted and supported pathways.
The Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service (SHaWS) is an innovative, cross-sector model of care providing holistic, integrated AOD, mental health and primary health services, and case management, to vulnerable community members with substance use concerns across the Bega Valley region in SE NSW.
With a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, services are delivered by AOD and mental health clinicians, Aboriginal health workers, GPs, nurses and allied health clinicians, working across NGO services, private practices and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, in collaboration with Local Health District services.
This cross-sector innovation promotes a ‘no wrong door’ approach, where an individual with substance use concerns can access the SHaWS service through any facet of the consortium, undertake holistic assessment, and be treatment-matched with the intervention level and treatment components best suited to their needs. The stepped model of care allows the intensity of support to be stepped up or down, relative to the clients’ changing needs.
SHaWS recognises that AOD issues do not develop in isolation from other life circumstances and, therefore, cannot be addressed in isolation. Noting the frequent co-occurrence of AOD issues with other comorbidities, particularly mental health and primary health, SHaWS offers a suite of treatment options, offered concurrently, with flexible and intuitive integration of services. Of all SHaWS clients assessed, 70% had previously been diagnosed with a mental health issue. In the four weeks preceding assessment, 66% indicated experiencing mental health issues causing them problems at least weekly and 48% experienced physical health issues.
SHaWs aims to support individuals to address their AOD concerns and comorbid mental and physical health issues through engagement with an integrated service, and accessible through multi-faceted and supported pathways.
Biography
Simon Sadler has more than 25 years experience working in the fields of nutrition, health service development, advocacy, integrated care, policy development and public health. He has been the Manager of the Aboriginal Health and Integrated Care team at Grand Pacific Health for nearly 10 years. A key part of that role is to work with local teams and vulnerable communities to coordinate the delivery of health and aged care services across South Eastern NSW and the ACT. Throughout his career he has had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of stakeholder groups ranging from vulnerable communities, clinicians, funding agencies and National Governments throughout Australia and internationally’.
