The Mental Health Branch (MHB) of the NSW Ministry of Health is coordinating the scheduled review of the Discharge Planning and Transfer of Care for Consumers of NSW Health Mental Health Services Policy Directive.
To inform the review, the MHB are holding focus groups with government and non-government stakeholders, including family and carer representatives. The MHB are also working with BEING and the University of Sydney to meaningfully engage mental health consumers in the review process.
The MHB would like to hold a focus group with Mental Health Carers NSW and its Family and Carer Representatives.
To inform the review, the MHB are holding focus groups with government and non-government stakeholders, including family and carer representatives. The MHB are also working with BEING and the University of Sydney to meaningfully engage mental health consumers in the review process.
The MHB would like to hold a focus group with Mental Health Carers NSW and its Family and Carer Representatives.
Who we are looking for:
This focus group is for current or recent carers of people who have been discharged from NSW public mental health services within the past 5 years.
This focus group is for current or recent carers of people who have been discharged from NSW public mental health services within the past 5 years.
What will be discussed?
The MHB want to understand:
• How the policy directive affects you as a family member or carer during discharge planning and follow up care
• When you are included (or not included) in discharge planning, and what information and support you need at those times
• What changes would make discharge planning safer, clearer and more supportive for families and carers
• How the policy directive affects you as a family member or carer during discharge planning and follow up care
• When you are included (or not included) in discharge planning, and what information and support you need at those times
• What changes would make discharge planning safer, clearer and more supportive for families and carers
Background reading material will be given for participation in this consultation: a short discussion paper and the Discharge Planning and Transfer of Care for Consumers of NSW Health Mental Health Services Policy Directive.
When and where:
The focus group will be held on Monday, May 25, from 10:00 to 12:00 via Microsoft Teams
A follow-up session will be held on Monday, June 1, from 10:00 to 11:00 via Microsoft Teams to confirm the key points we heard in the focus group.
A follow-up session will be held on Monday, June 1, from 10:00 to 11:00 via Microsoft Teams to confirm the key points we heard in the focus group.
Remuneration:
Participants will be paid a participation fee at the standard rate of $44/hour as per MHCN’s Paid Participation Policy 2026.
In total, participants will be paid for 4.5 hours (1.5 hours of background reading + consultations).
Privacy & Confidentiality:
Your privacy is important to us. Your responses will be held anonymously in a confidential and secure manner as per MHCN's policy. All data collected will be stored securely on a password protected server.
For more details, please refer to MHCN's privacy policy.
https://www.mentalhealthcarersnsw.org/privacy-policy/
Any feedback you choose to provide will be stored securely and managed in line with NSW Health privacy requirements.
Please fill out this short form by COB Wednesday, May 13 to express your interest.
You will be notified by email if your application is successful or unsuccessful.
Your feedback will inform the development of the revised policy.
If you need more information, email the MHB at MOH-MHB-DSP@health.nsw.gov.au
Thank you for considering this invitation and for the important role you play in the lives of mental health consumers
Please fill out this short form by COB Wednesday, May 13 to express your interest.
You will be notified by email if your application is successful or unsuccessful.
Your feedback will inform the development of the revised policy.
If you need more information, email the MHB at MOH-MHB-DSP@health.nsw.gov.au
Thank you for considering this invitation and for the important role you play in the lives of mental health consumers