Nimbin Integrated Services Project (NIS)
UPDATE: NIS Is Changing!
Gen Beggs, our NIS Nurse Practitioner, is leaving us after 16 years of committed and dedicated service, to take up a life of well-deserved leisurely retirement.
Gen has made such a big difference to so many people in our community for so many years, she will be sorely missed by all her clients and the whole team at NNIC.
A new model of service to meet community mental health and AOD needs is being developed by the Local Health District in partnership with NNIC, and which will replace the current model. Sadly, the Nurse Practioner will not be replaced, partly due to diffculties in recruiting NPs and partly due to funding constraints. We are working together to try to ensure community needs can still be met despite the end of NIS as we have known it.
More updates soon when more details are to hand.
What is (was) Nimbin Integrated Services (NIS)?
NIS is a service provided jointly by NNIC and Northern NSW Local Health District, which aims to improve the integration of health and welfare services in Nimbin, and to assist people to access better services related to mental health and substance usage problems.
For the past 16 years, the service has employed Genevieve Beggs a Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience, qualifications and advanced skills in mental health and substance use problems.
The Northern NSW Local Health District provides the funding to support the wage and ongoing costs of the position and NNIC provides the office space, on-site support and supervision, administrative support and referrals. NNIC secured funds from the Federal Department of Health and Ageing to support this work after some 6 years doing so at our own cost because of the needs of the community. Until 2023 this funding was administered by the North Coast Primary Health Network. In March 2023 the funding provided to NNIC to support the NIS sadly came to an end.
NIS is committed to providing a service that recognises diversity and is accessible to all people. It is also committed to the safety of clients and staff.
What Does NIS Offer Me?
The Nurse Practitioners offer wholistic approaches to clinical issues and can assist you and your family in a number of ways -
- Help with a mental health crisis or emergency
- Liaison with Police where Police become involved in mental health or substance-induced intoxication situations
- Clinical support in the community and pre/post hospital admissions
- Information about and referrals to a range of health/welfare services and supports to optimise outcomes
- Education related to clinical problems to empower you and your family to make choices and manage your situation
- Prescribing medications
- Organising tests and diagnostic investigations
- Supporting carers, family, and friends of people with mental health and/or drug and alcohol problems
- WDO referrals and treatment plans
- Assessment and management of intoxication, withdrawal and dependence in relation to Alcohol, Benzodiazepine, Amphetamine, Opioid, Cannabis and Nicotine and other substance use disorders.
- Treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Treatment for complex patients will be in consultation with the Lismore Liver Clinic and / or a gastroenterologist
What can I expect from NIS?
· Respectful, non-judgemental service delivery
· Information, support, clinical interventions, advocacy and referral
Confidentiality
What you share will stay within the service unless you give written consent for the Nurse Practitioner to share with other health professionals or services/agencies and this sharing of information is for your benefit.
However, we have a legal duty of care to our clients, and we are required to report to Police or DCJ in the following circumstances:
- If the Nurse Practitioner believes that a person is at risk of harming themselves or others, such as by suicide or threats to the safety of others.
- If there is a risk of harm to children.
NIS was originally established through an innovative partnership between:
Nimbin Neighbourhood and Info Centre
Nimbin Health (nimbin Hospital)
Northern NSW Local Health District
NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet
NSW Police
NSW Family & Community Services
Finalist in the 2016 North Coast Primary Health Network Excellence Awards
On Friday 9th September 2016 Nat and Gen attended the North Coast Primary Health Network Excellence Awards in Coffs Harbour. Here we are with the trophy we picked up for being one of 3 finalists in our category. We didn't win but we were thrilled to make the finals and pretty happy to get a trophy!
Methamphetamine (Ice) Users - in addition to NIS you can access free and confidential advice and counselling 24 hours a day, via the Stimulants Treatement Line:
