Abstract
Objectives:The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant risks to the vulnerable patient population supported by community mental health (CMH) teams in South Australia. This paper describes a plan developed to understand and mitigate these risks.Methods:Public health and psychiatric literature was reviewed and clinicians in CMH teams and infectious disease were consulted. Key risks posed by COVID-19 to CMH patients were identified and mitigation plans were prepared.Results:A public health response plan for CMH teams was developed to support vulnerable individuals and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will be reviewed regularly to respond to changes in public health recommendations, research findings and feedback from patients and clinicians.Conclusions:The strategic response plan developed to address risks to vulnerable patients from COVID-19 can assist other CMH services in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
As COVID-19 cases began to rise in Adelaide, health service management, consultant psychiatrists and community mental health (CMH) team leaders worked together to develop a plan to manage the risks of this vulnerable population
As Australia emerges from the pandemic, planning, in regard to potential long-term changes in mental health service delivery, will be critical
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a significant risk to the vulnerable patient population supported by CMH teams in the northern suburbs of South Australia
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant risks to the vulnerable patient population supported by community mental health (CMH) teams in South Australia. Key risks posed by COVID-19 to CMH patients were identified and mitigation plans were prepared. Results: A public health response plan for CMH teams was developed to support vulnerable individuals and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will be reviewed regularly to respond to changes in public health recommendations, research findings and feedback from patients and clinicians. Conclusions: The strategic response plan developed to address risks to vulnerable patients from COVID-19 can assist other CMH services in managing the COVID-19 pandemic
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