The 'Building Bridges & Pathways' project has achieved some positive outcomes over the past few months, with improved pathways for young people moving between services and good communication and sharing of information between clinicians.
Building Bridges & Pathways involves six mental health services working together to improve communication and referral pathways for 18-25 year olds in Northern Sydney Local Health District. The aim was to ensure young people receive the care they need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Prior to the project, there were no formal processes for collaboration between Headspace, NSLHD and community mental health services. Each used their own medical records and databases. The lack of communication and knowledge sharing between services resulted in duplication of assessments and significant delays for young people.
Building Bridges in 2016 was able to achieve increased clinical education and use of appropriate standardised assessment tools. It was able to achieve increased communication and appropriate use of formal channels of referrals. 97% of young people surveyed in October 2016 were satisfied with the communication and information sharing undertaken by participating services.
Building Bridges aims to continue to learn from the project and are continually working with staff and patients to improve services. The evaluation of the project will continue until June 2017.
The project is listed on the ACI Innovation exchange .
If you have any questions please contact Beverly Moss.
Photo from left to right: Yooni Choi (NSREIS), Bev Moss (EP Consultant MHDA), Cathy Walker (EPIS), Dominica Andersen (BEIC), Meg Lovett (MDECC), and Rheza Tan (headspace Chatswood & Brookvale).