Drug and alcohol and mental health information management project

• Reach:

  NSW

• Focus area:

  Mainstream with Indigenous content

• Status:

  Current

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

In 2008, the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA) commenced implementation of its Drug and alcohol and mental health information management (DAMH) project. The four year project, funded by NSW Health as part of the New direction in mental health strategy, aimed to deliver:

• a treatment outcome measuring tool for use by NSW non-government alcohol and other drug organisations
• an online data collection system for the capture and reporting of treatment outcomes
• resources to support the implementation process.

The initial phase of the project involved 10 NADA member organisations receiving training and agreeing to implement the assessment tool as part of a pilot. By the beginning of 2011, 7 of the 10 organisations - including Aboriginal medical and rehabilitation services - had successfully implemented the tool and reported a range of positive outcomes as a result. Based on the success of the pilot, the evaluators recommend the ongoing rollout of the tool using a tranche-based implementation model, involving 10-12 providers being trained and supported by NADA for a minimum of four to six months. They also recommend the extension of the state-wide implementation phase until mid-2013 to enable sufficient support to be delivered to organisations in the establishment phase, utilising NADA's established continuous improvement processes.

The outcomes of the initial phases of the project resulted in improvements to the program which is now called the Client outcomes management system (COMS).

Abstract adapted from Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies

Contacts

Suzie Hudson
Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA)
PO Box 2345
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Ph: (02) 9698 8669
Fax: (02) 9690 0727
Email: suzie@nada.org.au

Links

• View information: C
• View website: Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA)