Evaluation of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative

Australian Healthcare Associates undertook this evaluation on behalf of Department of Health (Victoria).

AHA conducted a summative (process and impact) evaluation of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative (VDDI).  The evaluated examined:

• Whether the Initiative meets its goals and objectives within the context of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Key Directions and Priorities Action Plan.
• The reach and quality of the services provided across each of the four dual diagnosis teams against the goals and objectives of the Initiative.
• The contribution, reach, and value of the Dual Diagnosis Leadership Group and the Rural Dual Diagnosis Forum to the Mental Health, Drugs and Regions (MHDR) Division and the ongoing development of Victorian mental health and alcohol and drug treatment services. Particularly in relation to how each group influences state and national policy development and their availability to key stakeholders including alcohol and drug (AOD) services, mental health (MH) services and psychiatric disability residential support (PRDS) services.
• Value, and in particular whether:
  • ­Dual diagnosis is systematically identified and responded to in a timely, evidence-based manner as core business in both mental health and alcohol and other drug services.
  • ­Staff in mental health and alcohol and other drug services are assessed as ‘dual diagnosis capable’, that is, they have the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and provide integrated assessment, treatment and recovery.
  • ­Specialist mental health and alcohol and other drug services establish effective partnerships and agreed mechanisms that support integrated care and collaborative practice.
  • ­Outcomes and service quality for dual diagnosis clients are monitored and regularly reviewed.
  • ­Consumers and carers are involved in the planning and evaluation of service responses.
• The impact of the three dual diagnosis sub-projects funded under the ‘Improving support to mental health consumers with drug and alcohol problems’ and whether these project have assisted service sectors in achieving the key directions and priorities for service development.   These sub-projects are:
  • ­Reciprocal Rotations Project
  • ­Expansion of the Victorian Dual Diagnosis Education and Training Unit
  • ­Addiction Psychiatrist Support Project.

AHA's evaluation report and appendices were published in October 2011 and are available at the Department of Health website.