Bendigo Health is pioneering a simulation-based training program believed to be the first of its kind in Victoria, helping staff prepare for complex and high-risk situations that can arise within older adult mental health settings.
Caring for older people with mental health needs often involves responding to unpredictable situations, ranging from acute medical deterioration and cardiac emergencies to psychiatric crises and treatment complications.
To help staff respond safely and effectively in these situations, Bendigo Health has introduced a new simulation-based training program for multidisciplinary teams working within the Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
Led by Dr Doug Blomeley, Specialist in Older Adult and Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Unit Head, the program recreates realistic clinical scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges encountered within older adult mental health services. These include medical emergencies, severe physical deterioration and situations requiring coordinated responses from clinicians across multiple disciplines.
"We're seeing more people with increasingly diverse and complex care needs, so it's important our staff feel confident and capable responding to a wide range of situations that can be challenging for patients, families and care teams alike," said Dr Blomeley.
Using a combination of medical, mental health and environmental challenges, teams can practise their responses in a safe and controlled setting, building confidence, strengthening teamwork and refining critical skills before facing similar situations in real-world clinical environments.
While simulation training is widely used in emergency and critical care settings, it remains relatively uncommon in mental health services.
Bianca Matthews, Deputy Director of Nursing Mental Health, said the initiative reflects Bendigo Health's commitment to innovation and building a workforce equipped to respond to increasingly complex clinical situations.
"Staff working in older adult mental health care can encounter some of the most complex situations in healthcare. This program gives our teams the opportunity to practise responding to those situations in a realistic environment, strengthening clinical skills, teamwork and confidence before they're needed in practice."
"For patients and their loved ones, these situations can be frightening and overwhelming. By giving our staff the opportunity to practise and prepare in a realistic environment, we're strengthening the confidence, teamwork and clinical skills needed to deliver safe, compassionate care when people need it most," Ms Matthews said.
The training comes as health services across Australia respond to growing demand for older adult mental health care. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, mental health conditions affect around 7.9 per cent of men and 11.1 per cent of women aged 65 years and over, while more than half of older Australians entering permanent residential aged care have a recorded mental health condition.
The Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service supports people with a broad range of mental health, cognitive and behavioural health needs across hospital, residential aged care and community settings, while also providing specialist advice and support to clinicians across Bendigo Health.
For Dr Blomeley, the focus is always on delivering safe, compassionate and person-centred care.
"Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family and a story. Our role is to provide expert care during some of the most challenging moments in people's lives, while preserving dignity, supporting recovery and helping people remain connected to what matters most to them," he said.
For the team, the greatest reward comes from seeing the positive difference skilled, compassionate and coordinated care can make for older people and their families.
Resources:
Bendigo Health Website - Older Persons Unit (OPU)
Bendigo Health Website - Older Person Community Mental Health Service (OPMHT)