Queensland extended care services for people with severe mental illness and the role of occupational therapy

Abstract

Background: People with serious mental illness in Queensland who require extended rehabilitation may be treated in extended inpatient mental health services. Two of these extended inpatient services, hospital and community-based 'Extended Treatment and Rehabilitation Units (ETRUs) and Community Care Units (CCUs)', are described, including the aims, objectives, philosophy and service delivery. Methods: A quality project involving occupational therapists working in these settings, as well as a consumer and carer, provides different perspectives concerning these relatively new health services in Queensland. Results: Two main occupational therapy roles were identified: case management and occupational therapy-specific roles (including assessment and intervention). The consumer and carer perspective is also presented. Conclusion: These services provide a positive option for people with high levels of functional disability as a result of mental illness and also for their carers. They provide environments with many exciting opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists working in mental health.