Consumer/Patient support

The Bowral Mental Health service has established a welfare worker position within the team. The role of this person is to assist consumers (or patients) of the service to negotiate some of the more challenging aspects of independent living. The welfare officer can be contacted through 4861 8000.Most of us will be familiar with the very complex forms and requirements that Centrelink requires of those people who require the financial support of pensions and other payments. Equally, we would be aware of the shortage of housing - both public and private rental - within the Wingecarribee.The welfare worker of the Bowral Mental Health team would be happy to assist patients with those more difficult tasks. Importantly, the worker will also assist with the clinical issues that are often a significant part, and perhaps cause, of the practical and life stressors facing the patient of the health service. In this venture, the welfare worker works collaboratively with the care coordinator and the patient to achieve a positive outcome.A second person who would be useful for a consumer to contact, should there be a need, is the Consumer Advocate Worker (currently based in Campbelltown Hospital Mental Health Services) who will, as the name suggests, advocate for the patient with the service. Finally, all patients of any mental health service are able to contact the Mental Health Patient Liaison Officer (PLO) at Liverpool Hospital's Mental Health Unit. This person will listen sympathetically to the patient and ensure that their concerns are followed through to a positive resolution.Any person who has a complaint (or a compliment) about the service provided by the Bowral Mental Health Service is encouraged to contact the administrator of the office of the General Manager of Bowral Hospital (4861 0200) to lodge their comment. This will be passed on to the Area office of the Area Health Service to be considered and managed if it is a complaint, and recorded and communicated if it is a compliment.Other options for consumers/patients involved with mental health service is to contact the office of the Director of Official Visitors for Mental Health Facilities and Community Services. Another body which investigates and deals with all serious complaints is the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) based in Sydney. They also have Patient Liaison Officers (PLOs) who will listen to what you have to say and act to investigate the matter(s) accordingly.Finally, both consumers/patients and carers are able to request a large range of fact sheets and other relevant informative material, from the Bowral Mental Health Service. It can be general or topical and is provided free for collection or posting.