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Queensland extended care services for people with severe mental illness and the role of occupational therapy |
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| Authors: | Jane Munro Michelle Palmada Anneliese Russell Penny Taylor Bradley Heir Jan McKay Chris Lloyd |
| Institution: | Extended Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol,;Extended Rehabilitation Unit, Gold Coast Hospital, Robina Campus,;The Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District Mental Health Service,;Extended Care Team, Sunshine Coast Mental Health Service,;Sunshine Coast, and;Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Abstract: | Background: People with serious mental illness in Queensland who require extended rehabilitation may be treated in extended inpatient mental health services. Two of these extended inpatient services, hospital and community-based 'Extended Treatment and Rehabilitation Units (ETRUs) and Community Care Units (CCUs)', are described, including the aims, objectives, philosophy and service delivery. Methods: A quality project involving occupational therapists working in these settings, as well as a consumer and carer, provides different perspectives concerning these relatively new health services in Queensland. Results: Two main occupational therapy roles were identified: case management and occupational therapy-specific roles (including assessment and intervention). The consumer and carer perspective is also presented. Conclusion: These services provide a positive option for people with high levels of functional disability as a result of mental illness and also for their carers. They provide environments with many exciting opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists working in mental health. |
| Keywords: | consumer and carer satisfaction mental health occupational therapy residential rehabilitation |