Other resources

NSW Health is an important part of the NSW community and a major responsibility of the NSW Government. Around 100 000 people work in or directly with NSW Health. NSW Health provides a comprehensive range of health and health related services covering health protection, health promotion and education, health screening, diagnosis, treatment, emergency transport, acute care, rehabilitation, continuing care for chronic illness, counselling, support and palliative care.

NSW Health have published guidelines for the physical health care of mental health consumers. These guidelines recommend three monthly metabolic screening for inpatients, and six monthly metabolic screening for outpatients. NSW Health website linked here, or click on the image below to download the guideline published on the site.

A number of guidelines are published by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) including the National evidence based guidelines for case detection and diagnosis of Type II Diabetes (2009), as well as a number of guidelines for the management of diabetes and related complications. NHMRC keeps an up to date record of current guidelines relating to diabetes linked here.

Links are provided here for a range of community non government organisations (NGO’s) providing a range of useful services for patients with mental illness. From lifestyle programs, to enhanced community support, involvement in these programs could contribute to reduced risk of metabolic health complications.

SPECIFIC EXERCISE OR LIFESTYLE PROGRAMS:

YMCA “Brightside Program” – a specific lifestyle program for people in prodromal or remission stages of mental illness. Informational brochure linked here: https://www.ymcansw.org.au/what-we-do/community-programs/brightside

Local Gymnasium initiatives – Contact your local gym to see if they offer any programs or discounts for mental health consumers

Obesity Clinic – Westmead and RPAH hospitals conduct specific clinics for patients with BMI > 35

Westmead linked here: http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Department-of-Diabetes-and-Endocrinology–Westmead-Hospital-/Outpatient-Services/Obesity-Service

GP NETWORKS: Each GP Network has GP Network meetings (usually monthly) where local GP’s meet for education and informational sessions. Each of these networks has a project development officer, who is a useful point of liaison. In addition, each network publishes a local newsletter – a useful place to send in a snippet about your service to promote shared care.

SCHIZOPHRENIA FELLOWSHIP: A number of supportive programs for consumers and carers, including the “eat well, move well, stay well program”. http://www.sfnsw.org.au/Services/Services-Recovery-Services/default.aspx

NSW CONSUMER ADVISORY GROUP (CAG) Links to key State and National organisations: http://www.nswcag.org.au/page/key_state__national_mental_health_organisations.html

ARAFMI NSW: Support and advocacy for families and friends of consumers with mental disorder: http://www.arafmi.org

MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL:

Meet your neighbour: http://www.mhcc.org.au/sector-development/promoting-partnerships/meet-your-neighbour.aspx

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION NSW: Provide a Mental Health Support group network service. http://www.mentalhealth.asn.au/

Diabetes Australia has a section designed for health professionals: linked here: http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/en/For-Health-Professionals/

Diabetes NSW is now known as the Australian Diabetes Council. The section for health professionals is linked here: http://diabetesnsw.com.au/healthcare-professionals/

In addition, there is also a link to a range of guidelines of interest: http://www.australiandiabetescouncil.com/Health-Professionals/Guidelines.aspx

Many hospitals in NSW have access to outpatient diabetes or metabolic services. It is important to find out what the referral pathways and criteria are for your local diabetes services. Each hospital will be resourced slightly differently, so it is important to know what your patients can access. Services could include access to:

• Allied health professionals such as Diabetes Educators, Dietitians, Podiatrists and increasingly, Exercise Physiologists
• General Practitioners, Physicians or Endocrinologists

Fostering links with local diabetes services can be facilitated by

• Clear, concise and regular correspondence that outlines the issues of concern.
• Case managers/ carers attending appointments with patients where feasible
• Regular liaison and opportunities for sharing knowledge.

Click on highlighted links for the PDF versions of these articles related to metabolic disorders and physical health care in psychosis that have been published by ccCHIP staff over the past few years.

• Lambert T, Chapman L (2004) Position Statement “Diabetes, psychotic disorders and antipsychotic therapy”. MJA 181(10) 544-548.
• Lambert T, Chapman L (2004) Consensus statement “Diabetes, psychotic disorders and antipsychotic therapy”. Also available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15540966
• Lambert T, Velakoulis D, Pantelis C (2003) Medical comorbidity in schizophrenia. MJA 178(5) S67-70
• Lambert T, Newcomer J (2009) Are the cardiometabolic complications of schizophrenia still neglected? Barriers to care. MJA 190(4) S39-42
• Lambert T (2009) Editorial: The medical care of people with psychosis. MJA 190(4), 171-2
• Subramaniam M, Ng C, Chong S, Mahendran R, Lambert T, Pek E, Huak C (2007). Metabolic differences between asian and caucasian patients on clozapine treatment. Hum. Psychopharmacol Clin Exp 2007; 22: 217–22

These modules are currently being revised. Please check back in early 2016.