FEBRUARY 2023
EDITION 22
Project Spotlight
YOUTH SUICIDE FRAMEWORK
Aligning with the Premier’s Priority to reduce the rate of suicide deaths in NSW, NSLHD's Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS)'s first-in-state initiative provides an evidence-based, systematic approach to responding to a youth suicide death. Responding to the suicide death of a young person (postvention) requires rapid and considered action to support those who are bereaved and prevent imitative suicides by individuals who may be at risk. While the team has always identified young people at risk following a suicide death, there was no formal framework to guide this work. The Youth Suicide Response Framework was introduced by CYMHS, NSLHD Mental Health Drug and Alcohol in 2020, to ensure an agile response to the situation. It focuses on mapping a “circle of vulnerability” of other vulnerable individuals and groups following a suicide death. The Framework design, with an easy-to-follow guide, checklists and templates, means that anyone leading the response can work through it in the same systematic way. At the time of writing, the service identified 71 vulnerable people who were provided with support to reduce the risk of suicide since the Framework’s inception. Youth suicide death rates decreased in the district in 2021 and 2022, and the Framework has been enacted within 48 hours of each tragic incident. Assessors praised the Framework when the Service underwent 2021 Accreditation to NSQHS Standards, suggesting there was potential for it to be scaled to a state- wide best practice model. Multiple other health districts have requested it for use following local deaths. The team were awarded winners at the 2022 NSLHD Quality and Improvement Awards for Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services and finalist in the 2022 NSW Health Awards.
The Northern Sydney Local Health District Quality and Improvement Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of teams across our health district who introduce change to improve patient outcomes and experience, staff experience and the overall quality of our health service. There are eight award categories:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Transforming the Patient Experience Patient Safety First Delivering Value-Based Integrated Care Supporting our People and Culture Keeping People Healthy Health Research and Digital Innovation Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Planetary Health
8.
Key dates (2023)
Entries open: 27 Feb - 6 April* Finalists announced: 24 May NSLHD Quality and Improvement Awards Ceremony: 29 June * local sign-off process may require an earlier closing date. Contact your local facility or service Awards coordinator, Clinical Governance or Safety and Quality unit. Further information will be communicated out to all staff from the 27 February 2023. See videos showcasing last year's winning teams and their projects Join an online drop in session on writing up a successful award entry for your team's improvement project or program - 9 March 2023 Contact: NSLHD-Awards@health.nsw.gov.au Catherine Rosario (Clinical Reliability Improvement Facilitator | Quality Awards Coordinator)
How do I start an improvement project? Find out more on the Clinical Governance Quality Improvement Intranet site, Innovation Hub or contact your local quality advisor CYMHS, MHDA team at the 2022 NSW Health Awards Ceremony L to R: Andrea Taylor, Director MHDA; Catherine Rosario, Quality Awards Coordinator; Ayisha Chitakunye Service Director, CYMHS; Lee Gregory, I/CE NSLHD; Di Simes, Safeguards Manager CYMHS; Noel Meredith Service Manager, CYMHS; Elizabeth Penman, Towards Zero Clinical Change Manager
Clinical Governance Standard
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