EMERGING RESEARCHER APPOINTED TO JAMES PACKER CHAIR IN MOOD DISORDERS AT UNSW Joins department with over 60 years research in Psychiatry and Mental Health to investigate Bipolar Disorder
The UNSW Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health is widely renowned as the pre-eminent psychiatry research department in the country and one of the leading university psychiatry research groups internationally. In 2023 it celebrated 60 Years of Psychiatry & Mental Health at UNSW Sydney.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Professor Kimberlie Dean, Head of the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health at UNSW Sydney, about the recent appointment of mental health disorders expert and clinician researcher Dr Aswin Ratheesh to lead the James Packer Chair in Mood Disorders at UNSW Sydney.
Professor Dean spoke about UNSW being home to an outstanding mental health research community with key partners across the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network, welcoming Dr Ratheesh
As a leading clinical researcher in mood and psychotic disorders, Dr Ratheesh is passionate about prompt and early access to interventions for people with such conditions.
The appointment comes after prominent businessman and investor James Packer, jointly with The Packer Family Foundation, made a $7 million gift to establish the role last year.
The Chair will lead a new unit at UNSW and the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network that will conduct rigorous research in mental health, with a particular focus on mood disorders such as bipolar disease. The gift also funds a team of researchers to support the Chair.
Dr Ratheesh’s research is focused on understanding pathways leading to the onset of mood disorders and finding ways to provide effective treatments for individuals who develop such conditions. He has worked as a psychiatrist for over 12 years both in youth and adult mental health settings and has led several studies that have helped identify risk markers for future bipolar disorder.
He believes some of the current knowledge gaps in mood disorders include our ability to predict who will develop such conditions, who is at risk of worsening, and who will respond to specific treatments.
Dr Ratheesh currently leads an NHMRC Partnership grant in early intervention for bipolar disorder and is a chief investigator on a Centre of Research Excellence grant in early intervention for bipolar disorder. He co-leads the International Society of Bipolar Disorders Taskforce on Early Intervention and is an Associate Editor for the leading journal, the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. He has received awards from the International Early Psychosis Association and the Australasian Society for Bipolar and Depressive Disorders for his research.
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Continuity of Care under COVID-19
Series 3, Episode 1
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Healthcare system has handled the public health crisis by monitoring and responding to challenges in supply chains, testing & tracing of new infections and stock piling of essential equipment.
The public has largely responded by practising social distancing, understanding how hand hygiene can spread contagion and recently installing the COVIDSafe mobile application. Public health messaging has been largely effective and literacy improve, to combat the dangers of misinformation.
To open up access to medical advice during the pandemic, in March the Australian government issued MBS item codes for telehealth consultations, for advanced practice nurses as well as GPs and other specialists.
According to AMA President Dr Tony Bartone, as of mid-May 2020, around 10 million Medicare-funded telehealth services have been provided, either over the phone or via video, a significant majority of which have been provided by GPs and other specialists since the Medicare telehealth items were introduced in March.
However in recent months, the health system has mounting concerns on:
- a reduction in general practice visits for testing, investigation or immunisation
- lower rates of elective procedures resuming since being halted
- reduction in laboratory testing
- reduction in treatments and diagnosis of chronic and acute conditions
- access to, and continuing to take medications
Those with pre-existing conditions have been urged to keep appointments and routine treatments to maintain their health.
Industry has taken action such as the newly formed Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC). The 15 health organisations forming CCC are an Australian first national communication collaboration of Peak Bodies, Industry and Healthcare Organisations coming together to stress the importance for people to continue monitoring their health and maintaining their regular care.
This Australian Health Journal episode on the continuity of care was produced with commentary from the following health industry associations and organisations: APNA – Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, RACGP, Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), West Cessnock Medical Practice, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Medicines Australia
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AHW Exhibitor: HPA Managing Director Shawn Wigham
Hospital Products Australia (HPA) exhibited at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week. Anne Dao spoke with Managing Director Shawn Wigham on the advanced equipment HPA supply, that combines technology and furnishings within the clinical setting.
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Care workforce challenges
In a wide ranging report looking at the carer needs across Australia, PwC Australia published Reimagine Care Workforce Solutions in October 2022.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Kerryn Dillon, Director Ageing and Reablement and Health Workforce at PwC Australia about the community care sectors of aged care, disability care and childcare the report covers.
