Demand for specialist intellectual disability and mental health services in NSLHD is high with about 6000 people accessing our services every year.

Workshops are now available to support staff involved in the care of people with an intellectual disability.

Designed and delivered by carers and clinicians, the workshops explore best practice and optimal interventions for the care of people with an intellectual disability.

Available to all NSLHD staff, there are two workshops, one designed for general staff and disability support workers, while the other is for mental health professionals.

Mental Health Drug and Alcohol’s Senior Project Manager Kerry Hides-Pearson said the workshops will also explore pathways for people with an intellectual disability to mental health care.

“The Intellectual Disability Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Program has also instigated a Team of Champions who self- nominated from multiple disciplines across all settings in NSLHD. These clinicians will be supporting others in their local setting to embed quality care for people with an intellectual disability.”

Chief Executive Deb Willcox recently launched the workshops which are being offered at various venues across the district.

Kerry said the district’s specialised services for people with an intellectual disability included a specialist team based at Royal North Shore Hospital and a primary and community health intellectual disability team based at Cremorne.