A CARER peer worker has begun working at Peninsula Health to help the families and carers of people living at Frankston Hospital’s community care unit.
Peninsula Health says it is one of the first health services in the state to offer peer worker support to families of carers. Carolyn McConnell is the first person to be appointed to the role.
McConelll says that her new role has a “direct impact on the lives of carers”.
“[The role] also supports the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health system that recognises carers as partners in recovery and deserving of respect,” she said. “My experience as a carer peer worker and a carer enables me to work with families to support them from a lived experience perspective. By sharing my lived experience, I aim to improve service outcomes for carers and advocate for them in a meaningful way.”
Frankston Hospital’s community care unit is for patients affected by serious mental illnesses.
Peninsula Health nurse unit manager Peter Walsh says that the new peer worker represents a change in approach to caring. “Many families and carers have had to manage a fairly significant burden because of their loved one’s mental health condition,” he said. “Having a family/carer peer worker is a really great new initiative to see how we can enhance our capacity to support carers.
“Things are changing in the mental health space and I think Carolyn represents that change. I can only anticipate we will see all kinds of possibilities come out of this new role.”
Frankston Hospital’s community care unit has the capacity for up to 20 patients at a time, with lengths of stay ranging from months to years. To contact the mental health services at Peninsula Health phone 1300 792 977. In an emergency dial 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.