MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES IN SYDNEY NURSING-HOMES

Senior nursing staff of the 58 nursing homes in one health area of Syd ney were interviewed concerning mental health services and staff educa tion. One or more psychiatrically trained staff were employed in 45 pe r cent of the nursing homes. Most nursing homes received services from a psychiatrist or another mental health professional, but the average time per month provided by them to see residents was less than one ho ur in 18 (31 per cent), one to two hours in 16 (28 per cent), and thre e hours or more in only 11 (19 per cent). Forty-four (76 per cent) wan ted more mental health services to be provided, especially for advice on management of disturbed behaviour. A substantial number of the nurs ing homes (at least 28 per cent) provided no ongoing education to thei r staff about dementia or other psychiatric problems. There is good re ason to encourage greater use of mental health professionals in Sydney nursing homes; enhanced funding of area psychiatric services for elde rly people is desirable to allow these services to be more readily ava ilable.