The seven CAMHS teams across MHAIDS are at different stages in their implementation of CAPA, with some having an established model and others trialling approaches for the first time. So, it’s important that teams come together regularly to share information about what has – or hasn’t – worked well.
Playing an important part in this work is a group of ‘CAPA champions’. Representing each CAMHS team, champions are selected clinicians who share the collective expertise of their teams at regular hui, and work closely with their respective team leaders.
“We get together monthly and share where our teams are on our CAPA journeys,” says Megan Coelho de Almeida, a Senior Clinical Psychologist in the Porirua CAMHS team and a CAPA champion.
“We share questions and expertise... if anyone in our respective teams has a question on a particular topic, we will take it to the champions group to see how other teams are approaching it.”
Porirua CAMHS implemented CAPA around 12 years ago and therefore play a crucial part in sharing what they’ve learned over that time with the champions from other teams.
This month the champions organised an all-sector hui for CAMHS teams across MHAIDS, with a focus on local information-sharing and the opportunity to workshop different parts of CAPA. This was an evolution from the previous sector-wide CAPA days, and was a response to a desire for more team-led, clinically driven content.
There was a collegial atmosphere as the day began, with workshops on four of the seven CAPA principles – review, choice, partnership and letting go. Attendees chose which principle was of interest to them, ensuring a mix of clinicians and disciplines discussing what their team does well in this area, as well as identifying aspects they could look to strengthen.
In the afternoon, teams gave presentations on their CAPA journeys with a focus on their successes: Wairarapa CAMHS, who first began to implement the model this year, and Te Whare Mārie, which is the only team in the country to run a model of CAPA that is blended with Te Ao Māori.
There were also activities to boost energy and even the chance to learn a few phrases in Cook Island Māori and Samoan, in an activity led by Fereni Masoe-Afamasaga from Pasifika CAMHS. The activity generated a lot of great energy and laughter.
“Coming together as a sector is part of the CAPA model,” says Megan. "This is the first day the champions have planned, and we’re keen to get feedback on what our colleagues are finding useful.
“At an individual level, hopefully people will have had some conversations with the people next to them, which they could take back to their team.”
