ANMF (Vic Branch) Mental Health Nursing Officer Jade Chandler. Photo: Paul Jeffers
ANMF (Vic Branch) Mental Health Nursing Officer Jade Chandler has been officially appointed to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Redesign Expert Advisory Group to represent the interests and concerns of Victoria’s mental health nurses.
Jade is one of only two nurses appointed to the group, which also includes psychiatrists, lived and living experience workers, social workers and an occupational therapist.
The Victorian government has convened the Expert Advisory Group as part of the next phase of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System reform agenda. As its name suggests, the group is being established to provide expert advice and guidance to the Department of Health to inform the redesign of community-based mental health and wellbeing services.
These services, delivered by Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services – including services delivered in partnership with non-government organisations (referred to as Level 5 services by the Royal Commission) – provide care for people of all ages with moderate to severe mental illness who have more intensive treatment, care, and support needs.
The Expert Advisory Group will assist in addressing key questions and considerations that may arise during the planning and design phases, will provide advice on the implications and risks for specific communities, services and stakeholders, and will provide guidance on the approach to engagement with stakeholders.
As a member of the Expert Advisory Group, Jade will use her extensive experience in community mental health to ensure the voice for mental health nurses is heard during this important reform.
