Older people with mental illness are likely to have increased difficulty in accessing health services due to social isolation and functional disability. It is well reported that people with mental illness are also more likely to have chronic and complex medical needs, be frail and be socially isolated. They are two times more likely to have respiratory disease, have cardiovascular disease, have metabolic syndrome, have diabetes, six times more likely to have dental problems and more likely to die earlier than the general population.

The physical health program developed by the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) community Older Peoples Mental Health Service (OPMHS) was part of a statewide project, facilitated by the Older People's Mental Health Policy Unit, Mental Health Branch, NSW Ministry of Health, where a variety of strategies were developed and implemented, to support the physical health of older mental health consumers using a biopsychosocial approach.

NSLHD focused on providing OPMHS clinicians with the opportunity and resources to support older people with mental illness with their physical health and wellbeing, in particular Cardiometabolic Health, both screening and supporting interventions to address abnormalities and proactively support healthy lifestyle strategies. In each of the three community services, the program was led by a senior clinician who supported their team clinicians to carry out physical health assessments and planning.

The program commenced in July 2020, with the percentage of consumers of OPMHS who had regular metabolic monitoring completed, increasing from less than 10% to over 75%. Proactive person centred consideration and discussion including aspects of the consumers physical health and socialisation opportunities took place between clinicians, consumers and carers whilst their reviewing care in the community setting.

The improvements have been sustained through a variety of strategies, in particular, capacity building within the multidisciplinary teams and the provision of the necessary resources 2023 IPA International Congress_Lisbon, Portugal Anne Hoolahan to carry out physical health monitoring and health promotion activities. Appropriate pathways were developed to escalate medical support recognised and sustain physical and psychological supports post discharge.

Anne Hoolahan is a clinical nurse consultant in the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Older Peoples Mental Health Service. Anne qualified as a registered nurse in Sydney in 1990. Anne has worked in a variety of inpatient and community roles caring for older people before specialising in older people’s mental health. Anne holds a DipTeach (Ed) | MEd (Adult) | GradDipApSc (Nursing) | GradDipHlthSc (Geront) | GradCertMHlth (Older People).