Seeking Carers and Families for Focus Group – Discharge Planning and Transfer of Care for Consumers of NSW Mental Health Policy Directive

The Mental Health Branch (MHB) of the NSW Ministry of Health is coordinating the scheduled review of the Discharge Planning and Transfer of Care for Consumers of NSW Health Mental Health Services Policy Directive.

To inform the review, the MHB are holding focus groups with government and non-government stakeholders, including family and carer representatives.

The MHB would like to hold a focus group with Mental Health Carers NSW and carers and families. Your feedback will inform the development of the revised policy. This focus group is for current or recent carers or families of people who have been discharged from NSW public mental health services within the past 5 years.

The MHB are also working with BEING and the University of Sydney to meaningfully engage mental health consumers in the review process.

Focus Group Details:
Date: Monday 25 May
Time: 10:00 to 12:00
Venue: Microsoft Teams

A follow-up session will be held the week after to confirm the key points that were heard in the focus group.

Date: Monday 1 June
Time: 10:00 to 11:00
Venue: Microsoft Teams

Payment:
Participants will be paid a participation fee at the standard rate of $44/hour as per MHCN’s Paid Participation Policy 2026. Background reading material will be given for participation in this consultation. In total, participants will be paid for 4.5 hours (1.5 hours of background reading + consultations).

Are you interested?
To express your interest in participating, fill in this EOI by COB Wednesday 13 May: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DischargePlanningTransferofCare

Attached documentation:
Please find a copy of the full EOI, a project information sheet, and the Discharge Planning and Transfer of Care for Consumers of NSW Health Mental Health Services Policy Directive.

Questions or Queries:
If you need more information, email the MHB at: MOH-MHB-DSP@health.nsw.gov.au or MHCN at mhcnadmin@mentalhealthcarersnsw.org or ring MHCN: 02 9332 0777.