A quick trip to Wellington from Auckland saw me red-eyed and bushy-tailed, as a delegate to the Wellington Addictions Leadership Day on Thursday 17th March 2016. Up at the crack of dawn to snag a Jetstar flight scheduled for 5.20am, meant arriving at the airport for check-in 2hrs beforehand, just enough time to grab a bite to eat and find a seat for the days agenda.
The day was action packed and filled to the brim with interesting speakers. Naturally, I was on the lookout for fellow gambling harm colleagues, then to my pleasant surprise, I met up with Netini Vaeau; Tupu Alcohol, Drugs & Gambling Service - Waitemata DHB. If you haven’t been to an Addictions Leadership day before, these are held annually in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, by registering in advance you can be assured that any correspondence regarding that particular event will be sent directly to you. Go to the Matua Raki website for more information: www.matuaraki.co.nz
This particular leadership day seemed to have a transformational feel to it, Peter Kennerly from Ministry introduced a new team member, prior to us hearing about Dr Susan Galea’s time in Australia exploring involuntary treatment in New South Wales.
Among other things, there were invitations to various consultations happening within the wider mental health and addictions sector, as robust debate and discussion took place regarding the Mental Health and Addiction population outcome framework presented by Rachel Haggerty. Representatives from the consumer network grappled with exclusion of certain elements to the framework while problem gambling dropped off that radar all together.
We also heard from Dallas and Tanith of He Waka Tapu in Chirstchurch, where they demonstrated the use of an online tool designed to support service user’s transition from treatment, to supported independence, to independence. This investigates the idea of visually tracking progress across health and wellbeing goals, it is claimed to be a unique platform for effectively collecting and measuring client outcomes. Ask them more about its utility and effectiveness by emailing them directly info@whaioraonline.org.nz or just check out He Waka Tapu's website here www.hewakatapu.org.nz. All presentation can be found here: www.matuaraki.org.nz/resources/addiction-leadership-day-march-2016-presentations/680#downloads
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