Successful visit from the outreach team, pictured with refugee health staff, left to right: Michele Greenwood (CNC refugee/multicultural Health), Kylie Piper (SW Refugee/ multicultural health), Dr Maddie Delves (Psychiatrist SIDMHOS team), Dr Alexis Berry (Specialist Physician North Sydney ID Health outreach service), Nicola Guy (SW North Sydney ID Health outreach service), David Thompson (CNC SIDMHOS team), Helen Maclean (Specialist Intellectual disability health clinician MNCLHD).
Outreach visit strengthens our network of care
Aug 21, 2024North Sydney Intellectual Disability Health Outreach Service visited the Mid North Coast to work with clients and clinicians on health issues that matter to people with intellectual disabilities.
In Coffs Harbour, Dr Alexis Berry and Social Worker Nicola Guy, joined MNCLHD intellectual disability clinician, Helen Maclean, in reviewing clients and providing education sessions for local clinicians across the Primary Health Network and Coffs Harbour Health Campus.
MNCLHD also welcomed Dr Maddie Delves and CNC David Thompson from the specialist intellectual disability and mental health outreach service (SIDMHOS) who joined the North Sydney team during this outreach visit.
Working closely with staff from refugee health, the teams provided specialist assessments for clients with intellectual disability who greatly benefited from face-to-face review by the team at their local health service or their home.
The North Coast Primary Health Network hosted a breakfast for the team, meeting with local GP practice managers to plan ways to work together to improve health outcomes for people with intellectual disability.
At the breakfast, the specialist team provided information on a range of topics:
- Supporting patients with intellectual disability holistically across their life-span
- Support GPs with issues relating to the provision of GP-managed health care for people with intellectual disability
- Referrals can be made to the team for consultative appointments, it is not a diagnostic service
- Service offers bulk billing
- Health Pathways
- Introduction to the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) Annual health assessment for people with intellectual disability. This tool is free on the Department of Health and Aged Care website
The next visit by the outreach team is scheduled for the week beginning November 18 2024.
For information about the outreach service, contact the MNCLHD local clinician Helen Maclean (P) 66911922 or 0418529093, email MNCLHD-Intellectual-Disability@health.nsw.gov.au