Workshop - Mental Health Services for Older People
Regional Workforce Development Coordinators collaborated with The Mental Health Services Conference (TheMHS) and Te Pou to host and facilitate a one-day workshop on workforce development for the Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) sector.
This workshop was convened as a pre-TheMHS conference workshop on the 2 September 2008 and the outcomes report and workshop presentations are available for viewing below.
Background
The Northern District Support Agency (NDSA), on behalf of the northern DHBs, have embarked on a project to develop core competencies for those working in MHSOP, which are based on the seven ‘Real Skills' of Lets get real.
This led to the four Regional Workforce Development Coordinators (RWDCs) discussing the possible issues for workforce in this sector and all reported similar concerns in each region. It appeared that nationally the MHSOP sector had limited strategic workforce development.
The projected growth in demand for health services for older people indicates a strong need to consider a workforce development strategy for this sector. The RWDCs therefore, felt it was timely to facilitate a national MHSOP sector gathering to discuss workforce development. TheMHS conference 2009 presented as an ideal vehicle to assemble MHSOP people from around New Zealand.
Purpose
The objectives of the workshop were:
- to provide a forum for MHSOP sector to raise and consider key workforce development issues
- to share information relevant to MHSOP
- to discuss competencies for working in the MHSOP sector
- to identify and consider opportunities for further workforce development within MHSOP.
Outcomes report
The Mental Health Services for Older People - Workforce Development outcomes report can be viewed or downloaded here.
Presentations
NATIONAL SERVICE FRAMEWORK PROJECT
Roz Sorensen, senior Project Manager, Policy & Service Development at the Mental Health Group of the Population Health Directorate, Ministry of Health. Roz's presentation gave an overview of how the National Service Framework Project relates to the MHSOP sector. This project is a significant piece of work which is reviewing what current and future mental health and addiction services can be purchased by funders. Download or view this presentation (pdf)
WORKFORCE CONCERNS, DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES
Dr Darren Malone, psychiatrist for the older adult service at Lakes District Health Board. Darren's presentation highlighted workforce concerns, demographic changes and the impact these have on the general hospital and mental health services. Download or view this presentation (pdf).
CORE COMPETENCIES FOR MHSOP PROFESSIONALS
Dr Nigel George, Senior Clinical Psychologist working at both Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, in the Mental Health Services for Older People Team and at the University of Auckland as Director of the Psychology Clinic. The workshop is part of a Northern regional project that will develop a set of core competencies for professionals working in Mental Health Services for Older People in Auckland and Northland. It is anticipated that this could then assist services with the implementation of Lets Get Real. Download or view this presentation (pdf).
Page last updated: 4 February 2009