Co-designing for success

With the announcement in March 2022 of the Commonwealth Government’s continued support for the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS), PHNs were provide two years of funding to commission initiatives to reduce the health and social impacts of problematic Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) use.

SEMPHN saw the opportunity to identify new approaches to commissioning AOD treatment models in collaboration with service users and providers. Impact Co was engaged to do both a quantitative analysis of available data on AOD service need, unmet demand and supply in south east Melbourne, as well as run workshops to identify gaps in the provision of AOD services across south east Melbourne. 

How we listened

A workshop with 12 individuals with a lived experience of alcohol and other drug misuse helped to identify key principles that underpin a ‘good’ service, as well as the current challenges or pressure points impeding this. 

A second workshop engaged 19 CEOs and Program Managers from 11 AOD Service Providers to affirm the principles and challenges identified in the lived experience workshop and to discuss potential solutions. 

How people want to feel when they receive AOD services

The following key service principles were co-designed though the Lived Experience and Service Provider workshops. 

Challenges across the consumer journey

The barriers to care experienced by consumers across the treatment journey from awareness to exit were identified during the lived experience and service provider workshop. PWLE (People with Lived Experience)

Prioritising the key challenges

The key challenges were prioritised by service providers and individuals with lived experience. These are challenges that are considered the most pressing to be addressed and formed the basis of potential solutions in the next commissioning round:

1. Disconnect between mental health and AOD services
2. Lack of a structured and intentional approach to intersectionality*
3. Limited family integration across the consumer journey
4. Need for a common definition of AOD and drugs-related harm
5. Lack of flexibility and responsiveness built into funding contracts
6. Need for funding focussed on promoting connection & engagement
7. Lack of focus on stabilisation and connection during treatment
8. Need for safe housing options after exiting services

A third workshop involved key SEMPHN staff and helped refine a strategy to integrate the findings into potential opportunities for commissioning. They included:

• Commissioning integrated AOD and MH services to help address the disconnect between AOD and mental health services.
• Commissioning a program targeted specifically at LGBTQIA+ and CALD individuals with a focus on those with intersecting identities
• Commissioning a program that incorporates aftercare planning activities (e.g., linking to housing support) to address the lack of safe housing options post-discharge for individuals experiencing home.

SEMPHN will utilise the information gained through the consultations in conjunction with other relevant guidance documents to commission new alcohol and other drug services. The tendering process is anticipated to commence in October 2022.