Have your say on mental health services

Invaluable insight into mental health care in NSW public facilities will be gathered through a new carer survey as well as from consumers, who will now be able to submit feedback online, in an Australian-first set to transform patient experience.

Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies today announced the two new initiatives will provide accurate and timely feedback to Local Health Districts about the services they provide, to ultimately improve care for people living with mental illness.

“The NSW Government is proud to become the first state to roll out a carer survey for mental health services, in addition to making the Your Experience of Service (YES) more accessible to patients by going online,” Mrs Davies said.

Over the next two years the NSW Government will invest $180,000 in the new Carer Experience Survey and $280,000 for the electronic patient survey, which will provide feedback to make mental health services more consumer focused and therapeutic.

“We’re keen to hear from consumers, their families, and carers who hold vital information on how they can be better supported by our mental health services,” Mrs Davies said.

“All mental health services across the State will receive regular reports outlining not only what consumers have to say, but how carers found their interaction with staff and the service as a whole.”

Consumers can access the new online eYES survey on their mobile phone or computer. All information collected through the survey will be strictly confidential in accordance with NSW Health policy.

For more information visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/pages/eYES.aspx.