The Commonwealth Government has provided funding to Primary Health Networks to commission new mental health services for older people with mental illness who reside in Residential Aged Care Facilities. (Click here for more information-One Pager - Information for Residential Aged Care Facilities - FINAL - 27092018.DOCX).

This initiative is not intended to duplicate dementia support services; State Government funded Older Persons’ Mental Health Services or psychiatry services.

 North Western Melbourne PHN is undertaking an initial enquiry to help understand the context for RACFs in the region and issues associated with accessing psychological services for older people with mild to moderate mental health issues.

This will help to inform a further consultation to design the service model for the region. Please complete the survey by 9 December, 2018. The survey itself should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

Why is NWMPHN undertaking this survey?
The Commonwealth government has committed to provide NWMPHN with funding for mental health and wellbeing services for older people living in RACF, along with guidance around how the funding should be used. The NWMPHN Health Needs Assessment, has identified residents of RACF as a population that have unmet mental health needs. The purpose of this survey is to help NWMPHN further understand the mental health needs of residents of RACF and gain insight in to how mental health needs are currently managed.  

What will happen with the findings?
The results of this survey will assist NWMPHN in its design and planning of psychological supports to be commissioned to improve the mental health of this population. The findings from this survey will help to commission services that develop suitable models that can be rolled out effectively and efficiently within RACFs.

What will happen with the data that I provide? 
Your data will be stored on a computer with restricted access to the data. Authorized staff will collate the data. The data will be used to inform further consultation and the planning and design of psychological services targeted at mental health needs of people living in residential aged care facilities.

Who should complete the survey?
The survey is seeking insight to access for psychological supports for older people in RACFs. The person best placed to complete the survey will be GPs in your practice.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
NWMPHN will be organizing further communication to consult and inform the planning and    design of this initiative.

Should you have any questions in the interim, please contact Lawrence Harvey, Director Mental Health and Targeted Care: Lawrence.harvey@nwmphn.org.au
 The following resources may also be of interest:
https://nwmphn.org.au/

 Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
The following questions relate to mild to moderate mental illness, and the following definition may be helpful when thinking about your responses. Mild to moderate mental illness can be defined as a mental health problem whereby someone experiences feelings of anxiety, tension, fear, sadness and depressive symptoms which may impact their ability to participate in day to day activities such as social interaction; activities and events.

Question Title

* 1. Do you currently treat residents in Residential Care Facilities who have mental ill health or are at risk of mental illness (e.g. depression, anxiety, adjustment issues)?

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