Bayside Health - Alfred Hospital

3. Psychiatric Services Reach the HomelessA move by The Alfred’s Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Service (HOPS) toreach more homeless clients by linking up with other homeless agencies hasbeen a great success.HOPS Nurse Manager, Anthony Kennedy, said HOPS now provided secondaryconsultation outreach services by being onsite at Sacred Heart Mission’s dropin centre in St Kilda and also at Hanover welfare mission, which providescrisis accommodation.“Two years ago we couldn’t reach those people who wouldn’t come anywherenear our psychiatric facility at the Junction Clinic – now we see and treat hugenumbers of people at sites where they traditionally seek support and refuge.“Other psychiatric services are now looking at using this model because it hasbeen demonstrated that it actually works,” Anthony said.“Most people we see have a multitude of problems, like drug and alcoholdependence, depression, personality disorders, intellectual disability andmental illness. Homelessness adds another layer of complexity on top of theseissues, which makes their care quite intricate.”4. Helping People Maintain IndependenceCaulfield Community Health Service (CCHS) and the Mobile Aged PsychiatryService (MAPS) team provide direct care and health promotion to adults inneed, particularly those living in Supported Residential Services.Research indicates that older people with a mental illness are at greater risk offalls. In response to this evidence as well as feedback from consumer forums,it was decided to provide a regular program to address this decline with theaim of maintaining independence for this client group in the community.A program was developed which includes strength training exercises andgames, as well as structured creative activities that promote social connectionwithin the group. Free transport and lunch for all involved was also valuablein supporting the program. The outcomes of this program have been verypositive – orientation to days of the week has improved as well as thecommunication skills of this client group.Quality of Care Report 2007 13