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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Service integration for the dually diagnosed

Karen-leigh Edward A B D , Rhonda Nelson Hearity C and Boyce Felstead C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, St Patrick’s Campus, VECCI Building, Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy MDC, Vic. 3065, Australia.

B St Vincents and Mercy Private Nursing Research Unit, 7 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Vic. 3065, Australia.

C Banyule Community Health Service, 21 Alamein Road, West Heidelberg, Vic. 3081, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: karen-leigh.edward@acu.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 18(1) 17-22 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY11031
Submitted: 10 March 2011  Accepted: 1 July 2011   Published: 7 November 2011

Abstract

The needs of dually diagnosed clients in mental health services have been and remain a focus for service development and improvement in Australia. The Council of Australian Governments committed to a five-year National Action Plan on Mental Health with a $1.8 billion injection into mental health services. In Australia there have been great advances in the service initiatives and service deliverables to those clients who experience a dual diagnosis. These advances include that dual diagnosis is systematically identified and responded to in a timely, evidence-based manner as a core business in mental health and alcohol and other drug services. These advances are brought to life by specialist mental health and alcohol and other drug services that establish effective partnerships and agreed mechanisms to support integrated care and collaborative practice. Here, four case studies are offered as a means of illustrating the ways in which projects undertaken in local community health services have approached dual diagnosis treatment for clients. These case studies reflect how cooperation and cross-referral between services, as well as effective management of dual diagnosis clients by suitably qualified staff can produce benefits to clients who use the service.


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