Validation and enhancement of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatric hospitalisation statistics through an Indigenous Mental Health Worker Register.

Introduction: Inaccuracy in identification of Indigenous status on health records hampers collection of the good quality data required to guide policies, programs and services. This study examined the use of an Indigenous Mental Health Worker Register to assess the level of correct identification of Indigenous status and sources of error among psychiatric admissions within a regional public hospital information system.

Method: The study was conducted in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 at the Cairns Base Hospital Mental Health Unit, Queensland, Australia, serving a population of 230,000 of which 13.

Implementing smoke-free policies in mental health inpatient units: learning from unsuccessful experience.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the introduction, trial and termination of a smoke-free policy in an acute mental health unit of a regional hospital, and to consider factors that may contribute to the success of such policies in other settings.

Methods: This analysis is based on key informant interviews and review of correspondence related to the trial, and examination of the relevant incident-reporting database.

Results: Planning for implementation is described.