Aboriginal mental health workers and the improving Indigenous mental health service delivery model in the 'Top End'.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the changing Aboriginal mental health service delivery model of Top End Mental Health Services, and highlights the importance of Aboriginal mental health workers in improving communication with Aboriginal patients. The Australian Integrated Mental Health Initiative Northern Territory Indigenous stream (AIMHI NT) is introduced.


METHODS
Baseline measures of AIMHI NT in 2003, and findings from two clinical file audits (1996 and 2001) at Royal Darwin Hospital inpatient unit are presented. The files were audited for a range of assessment and treatment interventions.


RESULTS
The audits reveal significant improvements in Aboriginal inpatient care between 1995 and 2001.


CONCLUSIONS
Aboriginal mental health workers provide essential services as cross-cultural brokers in the setting of Aboriginal mental illness. The improvements in care found in this file audit coincide with the commencement of employment of Aboriginal mental health workers in the inpatient unit. The AIMHI consultation reveals broad support for employment of more Aboriginal mental health workers in the Top End.
Nagel
Tricia
T
Top End Mental Health Services, Royal Darwin Hospital, Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, NT, Australia. trish.nagel@nt.gov.au
Thompson
Carolyn
C
D003142:Communication; D003469:Culture; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015876:Northern Territory; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies