Older Persons' Mental Health Service: Team

An Old Age Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in psychiatry then further sub-specialised in old age psychiatry.

The Old Age Psychiatrists provide administrative and professional leadership of the service, and integrate the medical, psychiatric, psychological and social aspects of the patient's assessment and management. Their roles are important in all aspects of the service in-patient, community, outpatient and consultation-liaison. They also head the research department and undertake a wide range of teaching and academic activities, advice on policy at state and national levels, and provide leadership to the profession.

Adj.Assoc Prof Chanaka Wijeratne 

Dr Alison Crawford

Dr Katherine Mullin

The Nurse Unit Manager is  the registered nurse in charge of the ward and is responsible for the coordination of patient services and unit management.

Acting NUM: Carla Kehoe

The Assertive Outreach Clinician provide consultancy, clinical coordination, advice and assessment to clients experiencing acute or complex mental health concerns.

Karen Lazarus

Registered and Enrolled Nurses

The mental health nurse's primary focus is to work alongside consumers and their families to overcome the symptoms of their illness and continue their personal recovery. 

Community Mental Health Nurses

The community nursing service assists older people to stay in their homes for as long as possible. They help to prevent admissions, enable earlier discharges of patients from hospital and reduce re-admissions rates.

Sean Concannon (CNC)

Michelle Leahy
Abbie McCreanor

Sophie Zammit-Haber (CNC)

Stephanie Dootson

The Diversional Therapist encourages participation in recreational activities, which builds on lifelong interests, and provides new challenges and intellectual/physical stimulation. Activities are carried out with individual consumers and in groups in the Euroa ward. 

The aims of Diversional Therapy include:

• Providing person centred care
• Proving diversion and enjoyment
• Providing a medium for social interaction
• Assist in maintaining skills
• Promoting self-esteem
• Promoting a positive environment
• Promoting physical activity

Julie Sleeman 

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides a range of individualised services depending on the patient's diagnosis and needs. Patient skills are assessed across a range of functional tasks including basic self care, home management, and community living skills, such as shopping and mobility.

Strategies and/or equipment to help the patient to live in the community may be recommended. Families and caregivers are provided with information, recommendations, and support with practical aspects of implementing advice and strategies to compensate for memory and other cognitive impairments.

In-patients may be followed up after discharge to assist with the transition from hospital to home and to help ensure that goals set in hospital can be met.

Natalie Narunsky

Linda Lu

Gracie Mann

The Psychologists provide appropriate psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for inpatients, outpatients and residents of Residential Aged Care Facilities. 

Dr Arielle Taylor (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Emily Connaughton (Neuropsychologist)

Ryan Joffe (Clinical Psychologist)

Zoe Morgan (Clinical Psychologist)

The Social Workers provide the following services for inpatients and community consumers and their families/carers:

• Psychosocial assessments and discharge planning
• Psychosocial support, education and counselling.
• Support for families and carers, including education about mental illness; treatments and community services
• Assistance with My Aged Care applications for services and residential care
• Liaison with community aged care services
• Writing reports for the NCAT's Guardianship Division and Mental Health Tribunal

Daniella Kanareck

Tanya Jochelson

Andrew Myhill

The Welfare Officer provides the following services for in-patients and community consumers and their families:

• Support and practical assistance to patients and their carers
• A vital link between the hospital and the broader community in order to facilitate the patients highest possible level of independence and where possible, to enable patients to live independently in their own homes
• Advising patients and carers of appropriate resources and entitlements within the community and linking them with services and facilities
• Assistance with My Aged Care applications for services and residential care
• Where appropriate, arranging respite care or admissions to Residential Aged care Facilities

Peace Mukorera