"Face to face mental health"

Dear EyesforCommunity

Thank you for sharing your concerns on Care Opinion and advocating for members of your community.

We acknowledge that in Carnarvon there is limited access to face-to-face Mental Health services in the Emergency Department at Carnarvon Hospital, and that it would be the preferred interaction method for many community members. We do offer a telehealth service that links patients in with dedicated Mental Health clinicians, who are able to assist and provide support and treatment plans in a culturally sensitive manner. They will work in conjunction with the highly skilled Emergency Department medical team, who conduct primary face-to-face interviews and assessments and then refer individuals to telehealth clinicians or community outpatient clinics as criticality dictates.

If at any time either you or a relative or friend feel they are not receiving the care or treatment they need, we have a service at the hospital called Aishwarya’s CARE Call. You may notice posters about Aishwarya’s CARE Call in our Emergency Department – this is a 3-step process for patients, carers and family members to use if they are worried about the care received in the hospital. In the Midwest, no matter what WA Country Health Service hospital you go to, this number is 1800 316 729 or you can find out more here at: WA Country Health Service - Aishwarya’s CARE Call.

13YARN (Thirteen YARN) is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13YARN offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provides a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns. If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. 13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

I would be happy to discuss this in more detail with you and listen to your concerns. My name is Lindsey Money, I am the Regional Manager, Midwest Mental Health and Community Alcohol and Drug Service and can be reached on (08) 9956 1999, emailed at Lindsey.Money@health.wa.gov.au or I am happy to meet with you on a future visit to Carnarvon

Thank you again for raising this with us.

Regards

Lindsey Money

Regional Manager, Midwest Mental Health and Community Alcohol and Drug Service

WA Country Health Service - Midwest

Dear EyesforCommunity,

Thank you for your follow up.

Please be assured we are continually investigating ways of making the Emergency Department a safe and welcoming space, that provides culturally appropriate care that will encourage our community to seek the help they need. We would value your input towards overcoming any barriers in accessing care and would like to extend an invitation to further discuss this with the hospital management team in person.

My name is Leanne Sice, I am the Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne. I can be reached on (08) 9941 0300 or wachs-midwest.gascoyneoperationsmanager@health.wa.gov.au

Regards

Leanne Sice

Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne

WA Country Health Service – Midwest