Anglicare Victoria Eastern Dual Diagnosis Program has been in a non-funded partnership with Eastern Health Psychiatric Units for over 10 years. What initially formed in 1 unit as a AOD information session has since expanded to in posting 2 days per week across 2 hospitals and 3 psychiatric units. Including Dual Diagnosis Intake, Assessment, Brief Intervention and bridging support into community based Dual Diagnosis counselling. Through targeted funding, ongoing research and EDDS support, it has been identified that this integrated model is filling a continuity of care gap in service accessibility for people experience chronic or acute mental health presentations with co-occurring substance use. This model of care is an integrated model at the point of intake, referral and discharge from hospital to bridge the gap in accessing ongoing community-based treatment to address Dual Diagnosis.
A dual diagnosis partnership: filling a gap in psychiatric units
Stephanie Bortignon | Program Manager Community Services – Eastern, Anglicare Victoria
Stephanie has worked in the Dual Diagnosis, community and forensic space for over 15 years, initially in clinical counselling and advocacy roles, and in leadership and senior management for the last 9 years. Stephanie currently manages Anglicare Victoria’s largest AOD services which provide state funded and speciality PHN programs in the Eastern Region.
Gavin Foster | Manager, Mental Health Specialist Services Mental Health and Well Being Program, Eastern Health
Gavin has over 35 years’ experience working as a nurse and manager within mental health and AOD setting. Currently as Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Services at Eastern Health. Gavin’s portfolio covers; (FaPMI), Forensic Specialist Service, Mental Health Family Violence and the Eastern Dual Diagnosis Service.
Credited Persons