Oral Health Services: Community connection
What was the problem?
There were 105,237 people experiencing homelessness in Australia on Census night in 2011. This equated to 1 in 200 Australians, and represented an increase of 17% from the 2006, with 4324 people homeless in Brisbane. Done in conjunction with The Big Issue, the aim of this activity is to connect some of the socially disadvantaged groups in Metro North Hospital and Health Service with Oral Health Services in a way that better suits their needs and lifestyle.
How did you solve the problem or take advantage of an opportunity?
Through the development and evolution of a partnership the service has embarked on a journey of engagement and collaboration with disadvantaged groups experiencing homelessness, economic hardship, drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues. For the past 18 months Metro North Oral Health Services have been regular visitors to meetings, breakfasts, lunches and the Community Street Soccer Program; where they provide health information, take referrals, and act as a pathway to dental care for many who would otherwise lack the knowledge, confidence or resources to seek treatment.
Who was involved?
One part of the project included setting up a drop in clinic for socially disadvantaged clients for a day during Dental Health Week. Two Dental Officers, two Oral Health Therapists, one Principal Dental Assistant, one Dental Assistant, two Administration Officers and the Nurse Manager worked together and a facility was identified near to where these groups meet.
Promotional material was developed locally and distributed to the Big Issue, Salvation Army, Wesley Mission and Teen Challenge. This included a poster about the day, medical history and proxy access forms and the address of the clinic. Contact was made personally with some of the socially disadvantaged to encourage their attendance. Liaison with the social workers and organisers was undertaken to gain assistance with informing clients of the service and assistance with getting them to the service.
What was the outcome?
8 patients attended the clinic on the day which included:
- Patient registration and education about health care rights
- A full examination and a treatment plan, extra-oral radiography and oral hygiene instruction
Scale and cleans, dental treatment and ongoing plans for future treatment
How are your services evolving through engagement?
Metro North Hospital and Health Service and The University of Queensland (UQ) have entered into an Alliance to integrate oral health education, research and clinical services at Herston. The formation of the Alliance presented an enormous opportunity to provide extra capacity for the service. Our Senior Coordinator has explored new pathways for referrals including Ozcare Homeless Hostel, Wesley Mission and formed a regular refugee clinic to manage the growing numbers of patients requiring treatment within an appropriate time frame according to state guidelines.
As a team we have displayed an acute understanding of these stakeholders, their priorities, needs and expectations. Staff have treated these groups with empathy and understanding and handled any issues arising with diplomacy and we are evolving through engagement.
“I can’t express how grateful I am for the opportunity to attend this clinic. I have trouble using phones to make appointments with long waits and credit limit.” – Sam
“It was all amazing and I was looked after well. This system is good.”
“Everyone was welcoming and lovely and took good care of me.”
“Lovely staff and good friendly service.”
“100% would highly recommend this service to others.”
“Everyone very polite and respectful and I would come back here in an instant. Thank you to everyone for the great opportunity.”
“Very friendly and made me feel comfortable.”
The post Oral Health Services: Community connection appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Feedback
You can provide comments and feedback to us:
- by completing the “Please Tell Us What You Think” feedback form (located in client waiting areas), which can then be placed in the suggestion box
- by emailing us at: feedback-mnmhads@health.qld.gov.
Get involved
We are also keen to hear from you if you are interested in becoming involved in improving the service and planning our future direction.
Email: feedback-mnmhads@health.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3837 5655.
Complaints
If you need to raise a significant concern or make a complaint:
- speak directly to a staff member
- ask to speak to a team leader
- or write to or call the service manager using the details below:
Operations Director
Metro North Mental Health – Alcohol and Drug Service
GPO Box 8161
BRISBANE QLD 4001
If you have made a complaint and you do not feel this has been resolved to your satisfaction, please contact the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
Contact us
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Feedback appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Support and information services
- The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (Qld)
Has a wide range of print resources available to order. Email ADIS ADIS@health.qld.gov.au to request an order form. - Reachout
Contains lots of useful information on different drugs. You can print out fact sheets, which are written in plain English. - Queensland Health’s Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATODS)
Website contains a range of information, factsheets and links to other resources. - DrugInfo
DrugInfo is run by the Australian Drug Foundation and contains a mix of information for workers, parents and young people. - NDARC (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre)
NDARC publish fact sheets on alcohol and other drugs, along with statistics and research for workers. - OnTrack
A free online treatment program for risky alcohol use that helps you manage your recovery through setting goals and using practical strategies. - Counselling Online
Communicate online with a professional counsellor about any alcohol or drug related concern, available 24 hours a day. This service is free for anyone seeking help with their own use or the use of a family member, relative or friend. You can choose to remain anonymous or to register with the service. - Cannabis Information and Support
Is an information and support service for cannabis users and their family and friends. Phone: 1800 30 40 50. - Quitline
Offers support, encouragement and resources to help you quit smoking. Phone: 13 QUIT (13 7848).
Contact us
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Support and information services appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Other Services
Hospital Consultation Liaison Services
For inpatient wards of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hopsital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital and Caboolture Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultants are available for patients with alcohol and drug use problems complicating physical and/or mental health admissions.
For Brisbane City Watch House, a Clinical Nurse Consultant assists the Queensland Police Service in the management of people in custody who have been identified to have alcohol or other drug issues.
Dual Diagnosis Consultant
For clients of the Alcohol and Drug Service where both alcohol and/other drug issue and mental health issues co-exist, our service has a Clinical Nurse Consultant with expertise in this type of presentation, who can provide support, advice and case management to ensure both health issues are addressed in treatment.
Diversion Services
Queensland Magistrate Early Referral into Treatment
Queensland Magistrate Early Referral into Treatment (QMERIT) program provides defendants who come before the Redcliffe Magistrate, charged with an offence relating to illicit drug use, the option to engage with drug rehabilitation services through bail conditions. QMERIT combines treatment and support services for defendants with problematic drug use during their contact with the criminal justice system. Ph: 3897 6330
Queensland Police and Court Diversion
Queensland Police and Court Diversion sessions offer assessment and early intervention strategies for people aged 12 and over who have been referred through police or courts due to being apprehended with a small amount of illicit drugs in their possession. The aim of the session is to assess current and past substance misuse, identify areas of concern and provide education and information on the harms and risks of illicit drug use.
Changing your Queensland Police and Court Diversion appointment
Police and Court Drug Diversion Program appointments are made and coordinated by the Diversion Coordination Service. Staff of the Alcohol and Drug Service do not have the ability to make changes to your appointment date or time.
If you arrived late, on the wrong day/time or missed your appointment, the steps you need to make depend on the type of diversion your received. In most cases, the appointment can be rescheduled.
Police Diversion
If your Diversion was provided directly from the Police, then only the Police can change your appointment. You need to:
- Contact/phone the ‘Arresting Officer’ (the police officer who you initially had contact with). If you can’t remember who that was, just call the Police station you dealt with.
- Ask if it is possible for your diversion to be rescheduled and your reason why.
Court Diversion
If your diversion was provided via the courts, than only the courts can change it.
- Call the court on (07) 3836 0677
- Ask for the ‘Court Diversion Officer’
- Ask if it is possible to reschedule your appointment.
Contact us
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Other Services appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Group therapy programs
We offer a variety of group therapy programs. Group therapy compliments individual treatment plans. Groups assisting with detoxification, preparing for change and building support networks are currently available. Your case worker will discuss the various group therapy options with you as you plan your treatment.
Contact us
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Group therapy programs appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Warning: Undefined variable $location_map in /home/metronorthonline/subdomains/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/mu-plugins/interactive-locations.php on line 226
Warning: Undefined array key "width" in /home/metronorthonline/subdomains/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/mu-plugins/interactive-locations.php on line 290
Clean needles and syringes
Needle and syringe programs (NSP) are a public health measure, consistent with the National Drug Strategy’s harm minimisation framework, to reduce the spread of infections such as HIV and hepatitis C among injecting drug users.
We provide a range of services for people who inject drugs:
- sterile injecting equipment
- education on reducing drug use
- health information
- referral to drug treatment, medical care and legal and social services
- assistance to access take-home naloxone.
The injecting equipment provided includes needles and syringes, swabs and ‘sharps bins’ for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Sterile water and wheel filters are also available for a small fee.
Needle and syringe programs do not supply drugs or allow people to inject drugs on the premises.
A ‘sharps bin’ is located at each NSP to allow for the safe disposal of used injecting equipment.
Vending machines
Syringe vending machines dispense packs for a small fee. The 24/7 machines that provide sterile needles and syringes are located outside hospitals, community or sexual health centres and alcohol and drug services.
Call the Clean Needle Helpline on 1800 633 353 for information on how to access clean needle and syringes and how to dispose them safely.
| Centre | After hours vending | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowen Hills – QuIHN Brisbane Monday-Friday 9.00am-7.00pm |
1 Hamilton Place Bowen Hills |
(07) 3620 8111 | |
| Redcliffe Community Health Centre Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.00pm |
Yes | 181 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring |
(07) 3897 6330 |
| Brisbane City – Biala 7 days 7.00am-11.00pm |
Yes | 270 Roma Street Brisbane |
(07) 3837 5613 |
| Brisbane Youth Service Monday-Friday 9.00am-12.00pm, 1.00pm-4.00pm |
42 McLachlan Street Brisbane |
(07) 3252 3750 | |
| Pine Rivers Community Centre Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.00pm |
568 Gympie Road Strathpine |
(07) 3817 6333 | |
| North West Community Health Centre Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.00pm |
49 Corrigan Street Keperra |
(07) 3335 8888 | |
| Caboolture Community Health Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.30pm |
Yes | McKean Street Caboolture |
(07) 5433 8300 |
| Nundah Community Health Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.00pm |
10 Nellie Street Nundah |
(07) 3146 2300 |
Contact us
Clean Needle Helpline
Support or more information about clean needles and syringes.
Phone: 1800 633 353
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
Phone: 1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Clean needles and syringes appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Counselling
Counselling has been shown to significantly improve peoples’ ability to make changes with their alcohol and drug use, manage withdrawal or other treatments more successfully. It has also proven to improve overall well-being and quality of life.
Our service has Psychologists, Social Workers and other health care professionals who provide counselling therapies and support to people with alcohol and other drug concerns, their families and friends.
The Hot House program (located at Biala and Redcliffe) provides counselling specific to young people under 25 years and their families.
Contact us
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Counselling appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Outpatient detox
Outpatient detox is available for people seeking treatment for alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, benzodiazepines and other substances of dependence. Outpatient detox is primarily offered at the Biala City Community Health Centre which is open 7 days, however detox assessed by medical staff as low risk is available at Redcliffe and Caboolture.
Detox is provided by a team of doctors and nursing staff who provide daily physical review, usually for 5 -7 days of treatment.
If it is not safe to detox out of hospital, we can assist with admission to Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service (HADS) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Contact us
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
You can discuss treatment options or make an appointment by calling
1800 177 833 (24/7)
The post Outpatient detox appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Warning: Undefined variable $location_map in /home/metronorthonline/subdomains/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/mu-plugins/interactive-locations.php on line 226
Warning: Undefined array key "width" in /home/metronorthonline/subdomains/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/mu-plugins/interactive-locations.php on line 290
Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support
Call 1800 177 833 for 24 hour/7 day free anonymous alcohol and drug support.
Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support is a Queensland state-wide service.
Adis provides a free anonymous 24 hour/7 day telephone counselling, information and referral service for anyone with concerns about their own or someone else’s use of alcohol or other drugs. We provide:
- an opportunity to discuss your own situation and concerns with someone who understands and can help
- information about alcohol and other drugs including written resources
- options and referral to appropriate treatment services or further assistance
- consultancy service for health and related professionals.
Contact us
Phone: 1800 177 833 (24/7)
Locations
See the map below to view our various locations.
The post Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>Warning: Undefined variable $location_map in /home/metronorthonline/subdomains/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/mu-plugins/interactive-locations.php on line 226
Warning: Undefined array key "width" in /home/metronorthonline/subdomains/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/mu-plugins/interactive-locations.php on line 290
Alcohol and Drug Service
Our service provides treatment and support for people, their families and the local community who are experiencing problems related to alcohol and other substance use.
Contact us
1800 177 833 (24/7)
Call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) to discuss treatment options or to make an appointment.
The post Alcohol and Drug Service appeared first on Metro North Health (DEV).
]]>