A needs-based workforce model to deliver tertiary-level community mental health care for distressed infants, children, and adolescents in South Australia: a mixed-methods study.

Background: High-quality mental health services for infants, children, adolescents, and their families can improve outcomes for children exposed to early trauma. We sought to estimate the workforce needed to deliver tertiary-level community mental health care to all infants, children, adolescents, and their families in need using a generalisable model, applied to South Australia (SA).

Methods: Workforce estimates were determined using a workforce planning model.

Clinical Practice Improvement Payments: incentives for delivery of quality care.

Objective: In 2008, Queensland Health mental health services participated in a quality incentive payment scheme referred to as the Clinical Practice Improvement Payment. Services across the state engaged in local improvement projects with the collective aim of improving the number of consumers, diagnosed with schizophrenia, followed up within seven days post discharge. This paper describes the application of this approach over two and a half years.

Planning estimates for the provision of core mental health services in Queensland 2007 to 2017.

Objective: To derive planning estimates for the provision of public mental health services in Queensland 2007-2017.

Method: We used a five-step approach that involved: (i) estimating the prevalence and severity of mental disorders in Queensland, and the number of people at each level of severity treated by health services; (ii) benchmarking the level and mix of specialised mental health services in Queensland against national data; (iii) examining 5-year trends in Queensland public sector mental health service utilisation; (iv) reviewing Australian and international planning benchmarks; and (v) setting resource targets based on the results of the preceding four steps. Best available evidence was used where possible, supplemented by value judgements as required.

A place to live: housing needs for people with psychotic disorders identified in the second Australian National Survey of Psychosis.

Objective: Access to adequate housing consistent with personal preferences and needs is a human right and supports recovery from psychosis. This study aimed to: (1) describe people with psychosis living in different housing types, and their preferences and needs; (2) explore selected demographic and social inclusion correlates in relation to housing; and (3) compare two subgroups - participants living in supported group accommodation and supported housing - on key demographic, functional, clinical and social inclusion variables.

Method: Current housing, preferences, needs and assistance, and housing-related social inclusion variables were assessed in a two-phase prevalence survey conducted within seven catchment areas across five Australian states.

Policy and service development implications of the second Australian National Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP).

Objective: We consider insights from the second Australian National Survey of High Impact Psychosis (2010) in order to identify the key policy and service development implications.

Method: The Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) provides an updated description of the experiences of people living with psychosis in Australia. We discuss the SHIP survey participants' greatest challenges for the future in light of the strength of existing literature, highlighting prospective opportunities for policy and service planning.

Psychosis in Indigenous populations of Cape York and the Torres Strait.

Objective: To describe and characterise treated psychotic disorders in the Indigenous populations of Cape York and the Torres Strait.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of patients with a psychotic disorder identified by treating psychiatrists.

Setting And Participants: Indigenous patients aged≥15 years in Cape York and Torres Strait communities receiving treatment for a psychotic disorder over 3 months in 2010.

Psychosis and its correlates in a remote indigenous population.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe prevalence and characteristics of psychotic disorders in a remote Indigenous population.

Method: Clinical review of all patients with an active diagnosis of a psychotic disorder in remote communities of Cape York and the Torres Strait.

Results: 170 patients were identified and demographic, social and treatment variables described.

The Queensland Mental Health Clinical Collaborative and the management of schizophrenia.

Objective: This paper describes the development of a collaborative group of mental health clinicians who have come together to improve practice in adult acute mental health settings for the inpatient management of schizophrenia.

Method: Sixteen acute adult mental health inpatient services across Queensland worked together to develop clinical indicators related to the inpatient treatment of schizophrenia. Data collection was conducted by using information available on existing databases and through statewide chart audits using scannable form technology.

Reflection on the use of seclusion: in an acute mental health facility.

This pilot study provides a snapshot of the use of seclusion within an acute care mental health unit in Queensland, Australia. The study collected baseline data against which practice reform aimed at reducing its use could be gauged. A mixed methodology was adopted, undertaking retrospective chart reviews, collecting qualitative survey data from individual nursing staff (n = 71) and patients (n = 4), and conducting focus groups to identify factors contributing to seclusion use.

Policy implications of the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Objectives: To describe some of the policy implications of the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Methods: A review of the initial findings from the Survey published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the five papers in this issue of the Journal, was done.

Results: Mental disorders are highly prevalent with the prevalence essentially unchanged since Australia's 1997 mental health survey.