Clinical Manager’s Report
The theme for Aislinn in 2008 was change. Our former director, Sr. Veronica Mangan stated: “The only thing constant in Aislinn is change.”
This change was evident in the development and extension of the skills of our multi-disciplinary team, the introduction of a new Director, the celebration of the Aislinn’s tenth anniversary, an increase in the delivery of holistic therapies and the fostering and development of an inter-agency approach to servicing client needs.
The clinical team faced some challenges during the year with the growing number of clients presenting with cocaine and heroin dependence, the agitation that these types of dependence created and the loss of a half way house for clients outside Cork demanded that solutions be found.
In 2008 we began to research the experiences of our previous clients, seeking accreditation with Caspa Healthcare Knowledge Systems (CHKS), the UK’s leading provider of healthcare intelligence and quality improvement services. In addition to this the development of Croí Nua, our family residential support programme continued. John Kelly who was Clinical Manager retired in June 2008. Presented in this report are the summary of the events that have taken place and the identification of challenges that will continue into 2009.
There was an increase in clinical team skills with the introduction of a psychotherapist, eating disorder specialist and life coach. Family therapy was also increased to enhance the delivery of service. Commitment from the clinical team to journey with the client and provide quality treatment, with an ability to be flexible in their approach, enhanced a client centred organisation.
The Aislinn clinical team recognise the broken human that alcohol/drug and gambling dependency creates and how fractured a family becomes during active use of chemicals. Holding a broken human as one would a delicate butterfly, gently in a hand so not to damage it, is the common thread that holds Aislinn together. A multi-discipline team is aware that each young person has his/her own reasons for using alcohol/drugs and gambling and individual teens differ greatly in terms of willingness and ability to change. By using individual goals and personalised feedback the focus is on the young person’s specific needs. This team of professionals continues to engage in training to ensure the continued development of skills to best serve their clients.
Declan Jones, former Chief Executive of Focus Ireland, joined Aislinn as Director in January 2008. His introduction to the Centre brought a new energy to Aislinn and the clinical team. One area of focus Declan brought to the team was the consideration of the effect in the Irish economy and how changes in this sphere would affect the ability of potential clients to access services.
The Centre celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2008, this gave Aislinn the opportunity to celebrate within the organisation and with the wider community the benefits and services we offer. The celebrations demonstrated the positive long term effect Aislinn has had on so many lives by giving the team the opportunity to meet past clients and their families. This was a reminder of the importance and relevance of the work the team carries out.
Increased cocaine usage provided a challenge to the team. Client’s were agitated and found it difficult to engage in treatment. This necessitated an increase in holistic therapies. In order to enable clients to heal in a holistic way (physically, emotionally and spiritually) the centre introduced access to holistic therapies such as massage and increased recreation.
Recreation has increased from two days to six days. Clients were offered individual creative art lessons and were introduced to massage therapy. As a result of increasing holistic therapies Aislinn increased its service from a ten bed unit to a twelve bed unit.
Adolescents experiencing drug/alcohol dependency and gambling deserve the opportunity to receive drug free treatment in an environment of safety, certainty and reassurance and a place where they are treated with respect as a unique individual. This is what Aislinn guarantees.
In 2008, due to funding arrangements in the sector area, Aislinn lost access to a halfway house for males who do not reside in Cork. To respond to this change, a partnership with Focus Ireland was fostered and developed and resulted in the provision of a supported step down facility. This facility will continue to be developed in 2009. This event exposed the need for an inter-agency approach and recognizing the “tier model” of treatment. Relationship building with other agencies is ongoing.
In receiving a client from the community and returning the client to a community, it is important that supports are fostered, ensuring an easier transition between services. This would allow for a vulnerable client to feel that they are not being abandoned but supported to the next stage of recovery. Continued liaison between services allows clients to receive ongoing quality intervention and support.
Events that also developed in 2008 and which are recommended to be further fostered into 2009 and beyond are:
- Research: We are currently preparing to conduct research on 2008 clients which will help identify service user needs and inform service development.
- Accreditation: One of the core values is accountability. We are now in the process of achieving accreditation with Caspa Healthcare Knowledge Systems (CHKS), the UK’s leading provider of healthcare intelligence and quality improvement services, which is supported by all staff and this will be the symbol that expresses Aislinn as a centre of excellence.
- The Aislinn Family Programme "Croí Nua" continues to expand and develop. Devastation caused by alcohol/drug/gambling dependence to a family can be overwhelming. Respite therapy in Croí Nua provides families with a safe physical, emotional and spiritual haven away from the crisis and chaos that addiction brings. This time in Croí Nua allows them to reflect on their situation and develop an awareness of the impact and effect of addiction on themselves and those around them. Croí Nua empowers them to identify new coping skills and lifestyle changes in order to reclaim their families.
“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.”
“The family is the school of duties founded on love.” - Felix Adler.
Aislinn embraces, encourages and supports change in clients, empowering them to develop to their full potential. Through all the changes the centre has seen in 2008 the core purpose of the centre remains the same - to provide quality drug free treatment to adolescents experiencing, alcohol, drug and gambling dependency, with co-occurring mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or grief and to focus on the importance of the family member’s involvement in their child’s treatment.
GERADLINE HARTNETT - Aislinn Clinical Manager