Improving the Assessment and Triage of Patients with Mental Illness ...

There were benefits gained through the education of staff by the clinical facilitators
and the liaison psychiatric clinical nurse manager therefore a recommendation to have regular
in-service training would further enhance the assessment of patients with mental illness.
Finally there is a huge requirement to provide an acute admissions unit for patients
with mental illness where they can access the appropriate services without delay and thus
avoiding the experiences of a noisy overcrowded emergency department. However all these
recommendations require investment of capital, which, in the current economic climate is not
very accessible. Meanwhile ED staff and the mental health services need to collaborate in
delivering an appropriate and effective service to patients with mental illness. Changing the
present system is difficult but with a consorted effort and positive attitudes towards change
the healthcare system can strive to deliver a better service for those with mental illness.
5.4 Reflections on the project.
I found the change management project in its entirety, a very challenging but a
worthwhile experience. There were positive and negative aspects experienced during the
process. The overwhelming support and encouragement from the frontline staff was
unprecedented. The commitment and enthusiasm with which they took on the project was
humbling. As with any new initiative there is always an element of resistance. At times this
resistance was difficult to manage. Although I call it resistance it would possibly be best
described as negativity but presented in such a way that the project would have no benefit for
the department. In addition to this was the regular rhetoric that this project was only for the
primary reason of fulfilling a Masters Programme was at times disconcerting. However I had
the commitment of the principal stakeholders, the frontline staff and the ED consultants
which made up the bulk of the support that I required.
Overall I found the experience most enjoyable and I look forward to my next project
with enthusiasm as I am now more cognisant of the processes involved.
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