(2011) Evaluation of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative

3. Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative
3.2.4 Education and Training Unit
The ETU develops and delivers dual diagnosis education programs to Victorian AOD and mental health
services. The ETU comprises dual diagnosis clinicians and educational experts and is expected to work
closely with the four VDDI teams and the rural VDDI clinicians. Activities include:
• Development/negotiation with relevant tertiary institutions of related undergraduate and postgraduate
education curriculum
• Design of training programs for mental health and AOD service providers to be implemented by
specialist dual diagnosis practitioners at the local level
• Practice development, including identification/implementation of models of best practice and
facilitation of service innovation and practice research.
The total number of staff employed in the unit is 2.5 eft.
3.2.5 Additional Psychiatric Support
The aim of increasing psychiatric support was to increase the availability of consultant psychiatrist
advice and support for bio/psycho/social assessment, treatment and management of clients with
complex needs.
A priority focus was supporting psychiatrists, senior medical and other staff working within both sectors,
with a strong focus on those in rural settings, in order to promote dual diagnosis leadership and uptake
of mainstream practices at individual service levels.
3.2.6 Reciprocal Rotations
The reciprocal rotation project commenced in 2005. The objectives of the reciprocal rotations were
twofold:
• Enhanced direct care capability of practitioners
It was expected that clinicians would gain experience in a number of different services leading
to a better understanding of how that service system may be better used for the benefit of the
client by the clinicians.
• Organisational capacity building
Expected outcomes for organisations included:
− An increasing pool of dual diagnosis capable staff in each sector
− Staff in each participating service will gain a greater knowledge and understanding of
the policies, procedures and practices of the reciprocal sector.
− Staff will better understand the “culture” of the partner service sector.
− Co-operation and collaboration leading to improved service pathways for referral and
integrated care.
− Increased direct service capacity of agencies to respond appropriately to dual diagnosis
clients for the period of the placement/s.
31