Carer hearing for NSW Ombudsman Inquiry into the access of mental health inpatients to supported accommodation

The NSW Ombudsman is conducting an inquiry into the roles and responsibilities of the Departments of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and NSW Health to provide services for mental health in-patients who are not being discharged due to a reported lack of community based support and accommodation options.

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW (ARAFMI) is aware that the general availability of supported accommodation for people living with mental illness is a very important issue for them and their carers. The absence of sufficient supported accommodation can place great stress on carers and is frequently raised in consultations.

As part of the inquiry the Ombudsman would like to talk to carers of people living with mental illness who may have experienced difficulty in finding suitable accommodation for their loved ones in the community and particularly if this has resulted in prolonged hospital stays.

The Ombudsman’s investigations team would value to opportunity to hear from any carers who have had experience of this issue.

A light afternoon tea will be provided for participants.

If you would like to attend on the day, please RSVP to this email address: admin@arafmi.org(or to myself if you have further queries) or on (02) 9332 0777.