Hub and Spokes in Intellectual Disability Mental Health Support

Abstract

The distribution of specialist health services is usually uneven by location due to limited resources, which is a problem for people with complex needs. In this context, how can a hub and spoke model offer appropriate services for people with intellectual disability and mental health needs? The data were individual and group interviews with people using and delivering the services in Australia. Data were analysed against a hub-and-spoke analytical framework. The findings were that health services benefited from funded, local positions. These local professionals liaised between local mental health, health and disability providers. They also liaised with other local areas and centralised, specialist intellectual disability mental health services. The implication is that specific local positions can be a bridge between generic and specialist services to improve services for people with specific support needs. This program worked well in a geographically large area with a scattered population and decentralised health system.