Mental Health Consumer Surveyor Teleconference

Tuesday 24 April 2007: 4.00pm (EASTERN STANDARD TIME)

Summary of Discussion Notes

Attendance: Debbie Waddingham (WA), Darrell Smith (VIC), Paula Hanlon (NSW), Cath Roper (VIC)(departed teleconference at 4.10pm)

ACHS:           Heather McDonald, Darren Baker, Marie Dickinson

Apologies:     Rick Austin (QLD), David Poon (QLD), Cindi Rees (NSW), Janne McMahon (SA), John Clark (NSW), Brendon Weavers (QLD), Desley Casey (NSW), Eddy Mirck (NSW), Isabell Collins (VIC), Wayne Chamley (VIC)

1.                   Welcome and introduction

Purpose and scope of discussion

·       To meet with requests from consumer surveyors to have contact with others

·       Form of support for the consumer surveyors

·       Opportunity for ACHS to get feedback

·       Networking opportunities

2.                   Agenda

·       Action items from previous teleconference:

-    Update on NSW CCP – Partnerships in Health project.

·       Touch base on surveying experiences since previous teleconference in January 2007

·       EQuIP 4 issues

2.1        Action items from previous teleconference:

                        Update on NSW CCP – Partnerships in Health Project

No further updates available at this time.

2.2       Touch base on surveying experiences since previous teleconference in January 2007

Darrell took part in a survey in WA. Found it hard to catch up with the OWS team when arriving 2 days later. Discussion around scoping of Mental Health IDRs. The trial of extending MHIDRs to the same length as the OWS did not work as organisations were not willing to pay the extra fees involved in having more surveyors for a longer time. Consumers not happy with this.

Paula expressed concern that no Consumer was placed on the Alignment Survey of her organisation. Heather not sure why this happened and will investigate.

3.         Other Issues

            3.1        Tender to review National Mental Health Standards

                        Paula stated that the review is going well. Consumer / Carer Participation will be developed as a separate set of standards. Consumers advised to contact Paula if they wish to discuss. Report on first phase of review has been distributed, though not sure who too. Paula advised that working groups were commencing in May to review proposed standards.

                        Heather advised that a workshop was being held by the Department of Health and Aging titled “Framework for Quality Standards in Telephone Counselling and Web Based Services” is being held in Melbourne May 10 and 11 2007. Jo Burton will attend on behalf of ACHS.

            3.2        EA and OA Ratings

                        Debbie raised concerns regarding a Victorian hospital’s pre-survey document, which contains many EA and OA ratings. Suellen Fulton (CSM) to follow this up.

            3.3        Hanging Points

                        Cath raised concerns about hanging points. Heather stated that some surveyors are making recommendations without making a risk rating, which needs to be done. Heather discussed changing the term to “suicide risks” so surveyors aren’t just focussed on hanging points. Heather read an excerpt from the ACHS Board Meeting of December 2006, addressing this issue. She will be sending an email update to all surveyors which will include this topic.

                        Darrel raised issue of different types of door knobs and that maybe photographic evidence is needed to differentiate between the different types and the risk level of each type.

                        Paula stated that it comes down to supervision and assistance. There is a risk of control taking the place of care.

            3.4        Mental Health Recommendations

                        Heather stated that recommendations made at MHIDRs will now be placed in the main survey report so that they are addressed every two years, rather than waiting four years. Heather to remind mental health surveyors that recommendations made by mental health consumers are totally valid.       

            3.5        General Health Consumers

                        Two general health consumer surveyors were trained in the WA Surveyor Induction in March 2007. They will be placed on their first surveys soon.           

            3.6        Surveyor Training Days

                        Darren was requested to advise when these would occur for each state.

4.         Summation

TELECONFERENCE SCHEDULE FOR 2007