You can read the abstract for the roundtable discussions here.
The first part of the session involved a roundtable discussion on consumer and carer participation which was facilitated by Adrian from the Richmond Fellowship WA.
The Richmond Fellowship WA is a non-government organisation that endeavours to involve consumers and carers extensively in planning. They ensure that both consumers and carers know their strategic plan, so their suggestions are able to align with it. They also have consumers and carers on their board with full voting rights. A consumer will sit on the interview panel when new staff are recruited and consumers are also involved in the co-production of projects.
Adrian started off using planes as an analogy. Concorde ultimately didn’t succeed in producing planes, while Boeing did and their planes are now used worldwide. Why? Because Boeing consulted with consumers about what they wanted: trays in front, overhead baggage space, leg room and more.
So why is the same not being done in mental health services?
A reason why consumers and carers aren’t consulted may be due to the perception that they don’t have the level of knowledge clinicians do. Their solutions may also seem very simple. However, it is these “simple” solutions that often work.
The question was discussed further amoungs those present: a consumer, carer, an occupational therapist, psychiatrists, and project managers.
The second part of the session was facilitated by Sandy and Donna who work as part of the Intensive Clinical Outreach Team (ICOT) in a WA public mental health service.
Consumers under ICOT are generally a group who have had many hospital admissions, often don’t engage in services, and may be under a Community Treatment Order.
A difficulty that ICOT has is integrating recovery oriented practice within their services, as consumers typically do not want the service. The question considered and discussed by the group was: How can recovery practices be successfully brought into ICOT?
Are you involved in a service that uses involuntary care?
How do you think recovery orientated practice might be incorporated into care in this context?
Is it possible to combine recovery orientation with involuntary treatment?
