Linwood Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC)

Linwood PARC provides timely, intensive community support services (either day stay or residential), for consumers aged between 18 and 64 years of age who are:  experiencing a significant crisis or relapse of mental illness which could lead to an inpatient admission, or who are requiring a further recovery period in transition from a inpatient unit to home. Linwood PARC provides services to the municipalities of Whitehorse, Manningham and Monash.

 

Linwood PARC-Objectives

• To identify consumers both in the inpatient and community settings, whose treatment and recovery is better suited to intensive, short-term treatment and support in a residential setting.
• To expand the range of options for consumers in the acute phase of a mental illness.
• To supplement crisis intervention services and provide an intensively supported early discharge alternative for inpatient services.
• To minimise the trauma and disruption for consumers and carers that may arise from a relapse of mental illness.
• To work collaboratively with the consumer, family, carers and other service providers; in order to improve the consumer’s symptom control and to promote recovery. 

Linwood PARC-Criteria

The target group of consumers include those who:

• Are aged between 18 and 64 years,
• Reside within the central east catchment area of the EHAMHS,
• Are eligible for the adult mental health services,
• Are linked to an adult mental health service, or alternatively have an established relationship with a private psychiatrist or other mental health practitioner/ support worker (including PDRS services). Consumers linked in with the Early Psychosis Service who are aged 16 – 17 years may be eligible,
• Are not at significant risk of harming themselves or others,
• Agree not to use illicit substances or alcohol during their stay and do not possess a significant recent history of ongoing substance abuse,
• Are supported by carers where there is imminent breakdown in care arrangements and/or community tenure resulting from the intensity of support required,
• Are in need of a structured day/evening routine and activity to prevent relapse or promote recovery (these consumers would return to their usual home residence to sleep overnight),
• No longer require acute inpatient level intervention and treatment, but would benefit from short-term, intensive treatment and support post-discharge from an acute inpatient setting OR
• Are living in the community and require short-term intensive support to prevent risk of further deterioration or relapse of mental illness, which in the absence of this option may lead to an acute inpatient admission.

 

Linwood PARC-Referral

Referrals are accepted from all parts of the Central East AMHS, PDRS services and private practitioners.  All referrals are received by Eastern Health staff and discussed with an ARAFEMI staff member.  If the referral complies with the entry criteria guidelines and is accepted, the referrer is given an assessment time within 48 – 72 hours of Linwood staff receiving the referral.  If the referral is not accepted the Eastern Health staff member will notify the referrer as to the reasons why.

 

Linwood PARC-Assessment

Assessments are usually undertaken within 72 hours of the referral being accepted; at the most convenient venue (i.e. current inpatients assessed at in patient unit, community consumers attend Linwood at 5 Hood Street, Mont Albert).  Assessments are conducted by an ARAFEMI staff member and an Eastern Health clinician, Monday – Sunday (usually between 10am – 2pm).  Restrictions apply to weekend and public holiday assessments.  The referrer may/may not attend.  Carers are welcome if the consumer permits.  Linwood staff will discuss and decide on acceptance of the consumer on the same day as the assessment (provided sufficient information is available to make a decision).

 

Linwood PARC-Model of treatment

 

Duration of treatment

Linwood PARC provides a residential rehabilitation setting that features a highly structured physical environment with very high levels of contact with staff.  The average length of time a person participates in the Linwood Program is between 1 to 4 weeks, depending upon the individual’s progress towards identified goals.

 

Consumer contact with staff

As Linwood PARC is a residential setting, PDRSS staff work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  Eastern Health staff are not based on site, but attends the facility 1 – 2 times per day in a consultative capacity (intensive ‘in-reach’ model).

A consultant psychiatrist and psychiatric registrar provides clinical input at the weekly recovery review meeting.  The Linwood Program allocates a primary clinical and residential staff member to each consumer.  The two workers in consultation co-ordinate treatment and support liaise with relevant individuals and agencies and advocate for the consumer.  Linwood PARC has a multidisciplinary staff team who provide specialised psychological, family and occupational interventions with a particular emphasis on a recovery orientated approach.

 

Linwood PARC-Discharge

Discharge planning for Linwood PARC consumers commences upon their acceptance for service.  The consumer remains active with the primary treating team throughout their stay at Linwood.  Discharge planning will be discussed regularly between the consumer, their case manager and the multidisciplinary team.  When it is considered appropriate the consumer will be transferred back to the primary treating team.  Consumers usually must be discharged within four weeks, and if they remain unstable at this time then transfer to the CATT team or an inpatient facility may be considered.

 

Factors considered when transferring a consumer back to another service are:

• Consumer requires less intensive service, no longer requires 24-hour care.
• Consumer’s mental state has sufficiently improved, that the likelihood of inpatient admission/readmission post discharge is minimal.
• The consumer is independent and compliant with their medications or is appropriately established in a routine of regular supervision.
• Consumer’s engagement in the program and interactions with fellow consumers.
• The consumer is engaged with their primary treating team.
• No significant benefits have been made as a result of more intensive support.

 

Contact

For enquiries regarding service phone: 1300 721 927 or 9843 5800.