Youth Alcohol and Drug Working Party Terms of Reference

Transcription

1 Youth Alcohol and Drug Working Party Terms of Reference MidCentral DHB Region Document Status: Version Number: Created: Printed:

2 2 Approval Approved by Name Organisation Date

3 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE 2. BACKGROUND 3. TASKS 4. SCOPE 5. CONSTRAINTS 6. INTERFACES 7. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 8. REPORTING 9. SUCCESS CRITERIA 10. ASSUMPTIONS 11. KEY MILESTONES 12. COSTS

4 4 1. PURPOSE The purpose of the Youth A & D Project is to convene a Working Party to examine the issue of youth drinking and substance use. The recent mental health and addiction open forums heard from local communities that they were concerned about a binge drinking culture amongst youth and the impact this is having on the young people themselves and on the community in terms of crime and general wellbeing. It is noted that that co-existing mental health and other concerns have a cyclical impact on drinking and substance use and that mental wellbeing is an important concept (in terms of a strengths based approach). 2. BACKGROUND MidCentral DHB is implementing a clinical network structure for the region. This involves primary and secondary care, and governmental and non governmental sectors coming together, talking to local communities and with them determining how to improve health services. The aim is to ensure that clinicians lead and drive service improvement and that this occurs in partnership with consumers. As part of this process a Mental Health and Addiction District Group (MHADG) has been created comprising a range of clinical and non clinical people involved in the field of mental health and addiction services. A requirement of the network structure is that each District Group hosts an open forum in the community from which service improvement suggestions can be discussed. The MHADG held a series of five evening events around the district in late 2011 and received a large number of quality improvement recommendations and requests as a result. These have been distilled into seven major themes, one of which focused on youth drinking and a desire to reduce the harm associated with this. Given the level of unease expressed by the community around this issue it has been selected by the District Group for further consideration with the aim being that the issue of youth drinking and substance use is explored and recommendations are made to the Group as to some actions which could make a difference. This task has received support from the overarching Transitional Steering Group (TSG) which provides governance oversight to the network structure. 3. TASKS Review working party membership; Develop a project plan to provide timelines and detail project work Literature review completed focused on how to understand and better manage youth drinking consider what best practice is Review previous documentation/work undertaken nationally and locally

5 5 Stocktake current projects/services/other work underway across the sector focusing on this issue Consider where gaps are in service provision Consider opportunities for integration and district wide awareness improve the interface between primary and secondary care and more broadly work and income, education, parenting etc Consideration to be given to the most at risk population groups in our region (e.g. Maori, Pacific, rural, migrant, low socio economic, areas with high proportions of children/young people) Write a report and present draft report to the Mental Health and Addiction District Group for consideration and discuss findings Amend draft report as necessary and provide final document to the Mental Health and Addiction District Group for presentation to the transitional Steering Group 4. SCOPE This project is focused on youth, meaning year olds. It does not cover the needs of those outside this age range (noting that the final report will state further consideration will need to be given to older youth aged years). Consideration is to be given to the whole DHB region and to the different cultural needs of those within our community. Consideration is to be given to the dynamic requirements of the workforce interacting with youth. 5. CONSTRAINTS Funding is always a constraint in the health sector. The network administrators collaborate with the Planning and Support Division (formerly Funding) with the aim of ensuring activities underway in the network will be incorporated in upcoming MDHB Annual Plan documents (where financial support is more certain). Alternatively the redesign of services to improve efficiencies could free resources to enable greater financial support of new network projects. Timeline a draft report is to be completed by 30 November INTERFACES There are six other projects being supported by the Mental Health and Addiction District Group. Aside from the Youth A&D Project the two other key undertakings are to:

6 6 Develop a robust adult crisis respite service PHO/GP/Psychiatrist support (to improve connectedness) The Youth A&D Working Party are able to second others into the group as required to assist with the work and knowledge of the sector. 7. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Group members are expected to: Actively contribute to discussions Undertake agreed tasks within timeframe Promote the work of the project amongst their own networks 8. REPORTING The Project Lead will report to the Mental Health and Addiction District Group on behalf of team members, providing an update of progress. They will also ensure that the Group is also advised about any barriers or issues encountered which delay milestone achievements. 9. SUCCESS CRITERIA A report presented to the Mental Health and Addiction District Group which: Raised awareness of the impact of AOD on young people. Increased awareness of safe use and harm reduction options of alcohol and substance use. Reduced incidents of AOD related harm Improve integration of services To identify and target essential areas of service delivery Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the work arising from this project 10. ASSUMPTIONS The right people are on the working party with sufficient time allowed for them to contribute adequately to the project 11. KEY MILESTONES Review working party membership;

7 7 Develop a project plan to provide timelines and detail project work Working Party acceptance and sign off of terms of reference Literature review completed Stocktake completed Report drafted 12. COSTS Time Project support Local travel Inform Katherine Gibbs (projects officer, MDHB ph ) if other costs are likely to be incurred