CEO Report

Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) Update

For the first time in a few years, the NMBA has approached us to update College details dating back 4-5 years. This, coupled with Ahpra also updating College details, indicates that federal agencies are working to better identify and support our discipline.

Federal Update

I attended a meeting in Assistant Minister Ged Kearney’s office on July 3, where I discussed key areas of our MHN discipline with various advisors and staff. We talked about the role of MHN with nurse practitioners, GPs, and psychiatrists in repositioning CMHN as a key contributor to healthcare.

We also covered the progress of the Scope of Practice project, highlighting contributions from Wendy Cross, Kristy Arrold, Joseph Niroshkumar, and myself at various workshops and confidential meetings. Additionally, we discussed the clinical expertise of MHNs in treating both physical and mental health aspects, particularly the challenges within NDIS and the lack of clinical care options. The recognition of CMHN and MH nurses in the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) was also a topic of discussion.

MHPN

The Mental Health Professional Network (MHPN) is conducting a review to engage key experts from our MHN community in a series of topic reviews. We will be seeking participants for panel discussions on topics ranging from ADHD, NDIS, ECT, eating disorders, trauma care, and serious conditions like schizophrenia.

Chair of the MH NP SIG, Sonia Miller, and Operations Manager for the College, Irene Dummett, will be attending this workshop.

State Engagement

• Northern Territory: The Winter Wonderland Forum, organized by the NT Branch with special thanks to Pat Bradley, is shaping up well. President Professor Rhonda Wilson will be speaking at the Forum after returning from key meetings in Europe through her role at RMIT.

• Victoria: Work is progressing on ACMHN co-hosting and promoting The Collab event in early August, thanks to James Houghton (Vic ACMHN Chair) and Jackson Borham (ACMHN Marketing Communications guru).

• New South Wales: The NSW Parliament has confirmed engagement with ACMHN on the wages review and recognition of MHN in the current parliamentary enquiry.

• South Australia: Encouraging developments indicate positive steps toward establishing an SA Branch for the College. Thanks to VP Cathy Daniel for initiating discussions.

ACMHN Community Platform

We appreciate the Early Adopters who are helping finalise a communications platform to enhance member interactions. The branch structure is in its final stages, and work has begun on the initial set of three Special Interest Groups, with a planned rollout for the remainder of the SIGs.

Marketing and Social Media (SM)

This month, we have partnered with Ivy Social to enhance our social media presence. Additionally, ACMHN will appear in the ANMJ, advertising MHN in this sector. We are also promoting in The Collab event booklet and will advertise PCMHN and CMHN across various sectors and partner organizations.

Credentialing

A review of the Credentialing Committee is nearing completion, and work will soon begin on refreshing the CMHN criteria. Given it was nearly a decade since the last update, the Credentialing Committee is eager to proceed. Thanks to Co-Chairs Catherine Hangan and Joanne Wild for leading this process.

Education and Accreditation

Thanks to Amanda Cole for her leadership as Chair of the Education and Accreditation Committee. Following a recent recommendation, the Committee has been divided into separate Education and Accreditation committees. The Education Committee focuses on Scope of Practice engagement, while the Accreditation Committee will develop a program for all universities, ensuring the inclusion of MHN-experienced academics to meet educational needs.