Current projects

QNADA > Current projects

QNADA acknowledges funding assistance provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Department of Health (Qld) and Queensland Primary Health Networks.

Queensland alcohol and other drugs treatment and harm reduction outcomes framework

The development of the Queensland alcohol and other drugs outcomes framework got underway in early 2017, following on from last years’ outcomes symposium. In collaboration with the Queensland AOD Sector Network, we brought together representatives of government, non-government and private specialist alcohol and other drugs services from across Queensland to identify a series of outcome indicators specific to:

  • client changes that are directly affected by treatment (client indicators);
  • treatment service quality (organisation indicators); and
  • population level issues that may impact treatment (system indicators).

The Queensland AOD Sector Network collated the results after each round of meetings and synthesised the outcome indicators resulting in universal indicators (relevant across all treatment/intervention types) and those that are specific to:

  • residential treatment;
  • psychosocial interventions;
  • harm reduction;
  • withdrawal management; and
  • medication assisted treatment.

We also consulted on the resulting indicators to ensure that they are meaningful and relevant to people who use treatment services. Our intention is to take a draft of the framework to a convention in early 2018.

Read the symposium report

Working with Primary Health Networks

We continue to work with Primary Health Networks across the State to support their understanding of the sector and their options for investment.

In the Northern Qld PHN region, we have established two alcohol and other drug treatment services reference groups (in Cairns and Townsville), to harness the expertise of the local alcohol and other drugs treatment and harm reduction sector to support effective service delivery across the region.

In the Brisbane North PHN region, we have been funded to deliver a service integration and workforce development project, which aims to support the alcohol and other drug workforce through activities that promote joined up assessment processes, referral pathways, and support continuous quality improvement, evidence based treatment and service integration/coordination.

In the Brisbane South PHN region, we have been funded to establish and support a collaborative, made up of representatives from non-government and government specialist alcohol and other drug services. The collaborative is tasked with identifying and addressing barriers for clients attempting to access alcohol and other drug treatment in the Brisbane South region.

Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Data Set (AODTS NMDS)

We continue to support the collection of the AODTS NMDS for non-government services. The 2015-16 collection included 9912 episodes of care (up from 7555 in 2014-15) from 56 reporting establishments. Check back soon for details of the 2016-17 collection.

Capacity building

We support our members and the broader alcohol and other drugs sector to build their capacity to respond to shifting trends and the increasing number of clients who present with multiple and complex needs.

Our focus is on:

  • establishing and maintaining linkages and strategic partnerships between the AOD sector and other health and community support sectors to develop greater understanding and collaboration;
  • assisting NGO AOD treatment services to undertake service improvement initiatives;
  • identifying and facilitating training opportunities for NGO AOD treatment services; and
  • providing targeted information and resources to the NGO AOD treatment sector and other social and health services relating to effective responses to alcohol and other drugs related harm.