PDRSS Survey and One Day Census

We would like to bring to your attention two important upcoming projects focusing on the Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Service (PDRSS) sector and the clients it supports: the PDRSS Survey and the PDRSS One Day Census.

These tools are important inputs into the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Reform and Development Plan being undertaken by the Department of Health.

For an overview of the policy context, objectives and deliverables of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Reform and Development Plan, please click here.

PDRSS Survey

VICSERV, the peak body for PDRSS, is undertaking a survey of PDRSS services on behalf of the Department of Health. The objectives of this survey are to:

• Identify models/frameworks that currently guide service delivery across the PDRSS sector
• Identify service delivery processes, such as referral pathways and client planning approaches in the PDRSS sector
• Provide examples of good practice as highlighted by the PDRSS sector
• Identify the use of outcome measurement tools in the PDRSS sector

The survey will commence early to mid March 2010. Please refer enquiries from PDRSS agencies to Wendy Smith, Policy and Research Manager at VICSERV, by email: w.smith@vicserv.org.au, or phone: (03) 9519 7000.

PDRSS One Day Census

The Department of Health is undertaking a census of current Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Service (PDRSS) users. The census results are expected to provide a clearer picture of the clients of PDRS services, and their needs. The census will collect information about client demographics, contact history and health and community service use, as well as unmet client need.

All PDRSS staff will be invited to complete the census for all clients they have had contact with, either face-to-face, or via telephone on the census snapshot day of Tuesday 16th March 2010. Staff will be able to complete the census on-line from the 16th March to 23rd March 2010. The census with instructions, will be available at mental health reform strategy website.