Andrea Taylor, MHDA Director ’ s Report
Welcome to the September edition of the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) Newsletter.
We also pause to honour and farewell two cherished members of the MHDA family: Peter Fleming and Dr James Telfer. Peter was a guiding mentor and a cornerstone of our disaster development teams, while Dr Telfer was a deeply respected psychiatrist whose work in the inpatient unit transformed countless lives. Their legacies will continue to inspire us. May they rest in peace. On 14 August the Rehab Psychiatry Forum led by Dr. Nicolas Burns brought together 35 attendees for a day of collaboration and knowledge exchange. These forums continue to foster innovation and shared learning across our services. Congratulations to Ducan Gill, Maria Pinn, Louise Keane and Samantha Lee who recently graduated from the THRIVE leadership program. Their commitment to developing leadership and management capabilities is commendable and reflects our investment in future leaders. October marks Mental Health Month and Global Peer Support Celebration Day. Our MHDA MH Champions have been working diligently to organise a range of events and activities. On Global Peer Support Celebration Day, we will honour our incredible consumer and carer peer workers. In addition Carers week will be hosting events including Carer Trivia Night and NSLHD Carer Network one year anniversary. Looking ahead, the MHDA Recovery Oriented Practice Forum will be held on 5 November facilitated by the esteemed Helen Glover and ROPC. This forum promises to be a valuable opportunity for learning and reflection. Also in November we look forward to the Gathering of Kindness, a powerful initiative that fosters compassion, respect and connection in healthcare settings. Finally a reminder that NSLHD Digital Health Services will be transitioning eMR to the cloud on 14 October. Please refer to the memo and ensure your teams are prepared. Thank you all for your continued dedication and care. Together we are building a stronger, kinder and more resilient MHDA community. Andrea
As we move into the final quarter of the year I am proud to reflect on the energy, compassion and innovation that continues to define our work across MHDA. The past few months have been filled with meaningful events, achievements and moments of connection that highlight the strength of our community and the dedication of our staff. On August 29, MHDA staff proudly celebrated Wear It Purple Day, standing in solidarity with our LGBTIQ+ community. Across services, staff wore purple clothing to raise awareness and foster inclusivity. It was heartening to see such strong participation and commitment to creating safe and supportive environments for all. On 27 August we hosted the MHDA Research Conference which welcomed over 100 participants and showcased 25 submissions. This year ’ s conference marked the highest attendance ever; a testament to the growing interest in research and evidence-based practice. A sincere thanks to the organisers, presenters, mentors and academic leaders who made the event such a success. On 17 September we came together to celebrate the Rewards & Recognition Awards honouring the outstanding contributions of our staff. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. Special thanks to the R&R committee who navigated a last-minute venue change with grace and professionalism, ensuring a memorable and well- executed celebration. Macquarie Hospital hosted its first Carer Forum since the onset of Covid-19, welcoming 13 carers to a valuable day of sharing, learning and connection. These forums are vital in amplifying the voices of carers and strengthening our partnerships in care. Our MHDA Executive came together for a leadership development sessions focused on team building, strategic goal setting and navigating challenges. This initiative reinforces our commitment to cultivating strong, collaborative leadership that drives excellence in service delivery.
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