Meeting at the Crossroads of ABI and Mental Health
Despite evidence that acquired brain injury can often result in ongoing mental health problems, there are very few facilities that provide for this dual diagnosis. The Walwa Unit is a specialist inpatient facility for people with acquired brain damage and associated mental disorder and/or severe behaviour problems. It is situated within the Extended Inpatient Service of the Toowoomba District Mental Health Service and has a catchment area of 14 Health Service Districts. This area encompasses the lower half of the state excluding the south-east corner. There are four such Mental Health Acquired Brain Injury (MH-ABI) units across the state, addressing one of the five specialised clinical programs in Queensland's extended inpatient mental health services. The aim of our poster is to provide an overview of the Queensland Model of Service Delivery for Mental Health -Acquired Brain Injury. The Unit's service will be described, including its transition from Penrose Unit to the current Walwa Unit, and relevant comparative data presented. To illustrate the unique approach offered, a case study will be used to follow the journey of both consumer and carers from referral to discharge, highlighting the benefits of addressing both diagnoses. The use of the Mental Health Act 2000 (Queensland) in this setting will also be demonstrated.