Connected focus on mental health training

• Enhanced video-conferencing technology for teaching and training]
• 76 trainee psychiatrists to benefit
• Patients to benefit through improved State-wide training of psychiatrists

New video-conferencing equipment and internet facilities have been installed at Graylands for rural and outer-metropolitan doctors training to become psychiatrists.

Gascoyne House, located on the Graylands Health Campus, is home to Postgraduate Training in Psychiatry, a Western Australian Department of Health unit accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to train registrars to become psychiatrists in Western Australia.

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the $120,000 spent on upgraded technology would allow greater inclusion for rural and outer-metropolitan trainees to connect remotely and therefore cutting down on travelling time.

"The 76 trainees participate in lectures, either in person or via video-conferencing, from rural sites in Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Northam and Albany as well as outer metropolitan sites such as Armadale, Swan and Rockingham," Mrs Morton said.

The system features the latest Polycom video conferencing capabilities that link users to the wider Health Information Network allowing doctors, patients and students to collaborate and share information 'face to face' across WA.

The Minister said the technology would enable the on-going development of a highly competent mental health workforce in WA trained in delivering contemporary models of care with a recovery and person-centred treatment focus.

"The $120,000 upgrade of facilities will enable first-class teaching and training and information sharing among today's leading researchers and clinicians as well as those of the future," she said.

Fact File

• Gascoyne House is on the WA Register of Heritage Places
• Since 1989, Gascoyne House has become home to a range of mental health research, teaching and training programs
• Upgrade will meet increased demand for video conference facilities on site

Minister's office - 6552 6900

Pictured at the video-conferencing event: L - R Clinical Professor Daniel Rock, Doctor Helen Slattery, Jodi Cartoon (on video screen), Minister Morton and  Patrick Marwick.