Positive Life NSW

HIV Community Team Nurses Mike Smith and Matt O'RourkeThe HIV Community Team is a specialised community health service available to all clients living in the South Eastern and Illawarra Health Service. This region comprises 13 local government areas including: Botany, Hurstville, Kiama, Kogarah, Randwick, Rockdale, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, City of Sydney (part of), Waverley, Wollongong and Wollahra.

The staff visit clients in the home and provide services such as counselling and support, health education/monitoring, housing support, medication adherence/management, mental health assessments and nutritional assessment/management.

The team is made up of two Clinical Nurse Consultants, two Clinical Nurse Specialists, two Social Workers, one Dietitian, and one Occupational Therapist. Continuing with a series of interviews with the staff, Talkabout spoke with two of the nurses in the team to get a sense of what working in the community means to them.

What were your work backgrounds before joining the team?

Mike: For nearly 20 years I have been working as a nurse in mental health in Sydney, Perth and London. This included inpatient, community, forensic and Consultation Liaison Psychiatry (including Emergency Departments). I have also worked in drug and alcohol detox. Working with marginalised populations such as prisoners, homeless people in Central London and refugees (to name a few) has given me a good grounding to enter the HIV health field.

Matt: I have been working as a nurse since 1995. During my first six years, I worked in acute surgical and medical specialties and also in intensive care. In 2001 I commenced working in the area of Occupational Health assisting injured workers back to work. Midway through 2005 I worked in HIV and Drug and Alcohol at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. I started working for the HIV Community Team in January this year.

What attracted you to working in the area of HIV?

Mike: It was an opportunity to work in a new field and provide new challenges for my practice. I previously worked with people living with both a mental health and HIV diagnosis, and HIV has interested me since then. I enjoy working with people with challenging needs. The complexity of both illnesses definitely causes some very complex challenges for people who have a dual diagnosis. Also, any person with a major illness such as HIV is susceptible to mental health issues that will affect their life. It is nice to be in a position to help people to adjust and manage difficult periods within their life.

Matt: After working in a range of areas in the health arena, I had an interest in working in HIV. Being gay, and seeing the impact it has had on this demographic, was one of my strongest reasons. Moving into the community team has given me the vehicle to be a part of making a difference.

What are your special interests in the area?

Mike: Improving the mental health and ultimately the overall health of people who are HIV positive are my major goals. I enjoy working with people and positive mental health. This includes recovery from mental health as well as managing mental health issues that surface in people’s every day life. I am also interested in working towards improving the sexual health of people who live with a diagnosis of mental illness.

Matt: Coming from a strong medical background, my interests lie in the health and well-being of my clients. I am very aware of the medical implications of HIV and look to reduce the impact that it may have on my client’s health. Liaising with GP's, specialist physicians and other allied health staff, and case workers is crucial to making this happening.

What issues are you confronted with on a day to day basis?

Mike: That people who have a diagnosis of mental illness and HIV are treated as an individual and not an illness. Every person who presents has individual needs and problems, but this is often forgotten within the wider health system.

Matt: Everyone has a different story and a different way in which HIV has affected their lives. This brings up something new for me to tackle each and everyday, making the job challenging. There is never a dull moment.

For further information

Website: http://www.sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au/HIV_Community_Team/
Email: hivcommunityteam@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 8305 3800