January 16, 2023Last November, the Bundoora Aged Persons Mental Health Unit (APMHU) and Assessment and Treatment Services (APATT) transferred to Northern Health.
Today, we speak to Lisa Carter, Director of Nursing and Operations Director of Aged Care Mental Health Division, about her role in the transition.
Lisa, let’s start with your coffee order?
Short black please.
Tell us about your role as Director of Nursing of Mental Health and what it entails?
The role is to contribute to the overall leadership and management of the Mental Health Division, specifically to review and continually improve the operation of aged persons mental health. It includes our aged care mental health acute inpatient units, aged care mental health residential units and our community Assessment and Treatment Services (APATT) teams. My role covers the development and support of our teams in ensuring quality and safety and meeting clinical governance targets. Overall, it is to deliver excellence in care to older persons that includes both physical and mental health wellbeing outcomes.
The recent transition of the Aged Persons Mental Health Unit and APATT at Bundoora Centre is a key part of this role and the transition planned for 2023 of the Aged Care Mental Health Unit and APATT at Broadmeadows will finalise the disaggregation process.
Tell us what you were doing prior to this role?
I have previously worked in the private healthcare sector in specialties such as mental health, aged care and also subacute (rehabilitation) and acute services. Whilst funding models differ between the public and private sectors, the fundamentals of teams and patient needs remain the same.
What does a typical day look like for you?
In the short period of time I have been here, no two days have been the same. At this stage, much is about learning, meeting other people and identifying synergies between roles.
What excites you about your role?
The opportunity in leading and developing new teams and being an integral part of a transition process.
What are some of the challenges of this role?
The acronyms – just joking!
Building and ensuring the resources are in place and supporting each other to support our patients in gaining the best outcomes for themselves.
Lastly, what would people be most surprised to know about you?
I know most people are keen on the sunshine this time of year or waiting for it as in 2022. I’m much more at home in the snow, having spent most winters and some periods of our summer skiing.
