S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

327

difficulties which require them to be responsive, agile and use ingenuity in the delivery of mental healthcare. ‘Working as a remote area nurse demands resourcefulness unsurpassed in the city’ (Verrier, 1991, p. 210). The lack of resources and degree of isolation means that remote nurses, have to frequently improvise and think creatively to develop solutions to barriers, which arise in the delivery of mental healthcare. ‘It is this [remote] environment that is the breeding ground for innovative care delivery’ (Mitchell, 2000, p. 13). Despite adverse circumstances, remote nurses have the ability to devise ways and means to care for mental health patients. Due to limited resources and isolation, remote nurses are frequently working in situations with less than the ideal amount of assistance or resources to deliver optimal levels of care. Innately understanding this, remote nurses consistently demonstrate agility to conjure up means to address these deficiencies. They rise to the challenge (Hanna, 2001). ‘Their [remote nurses] greatest attribute is knowing about formal and informal community resources and how to access these for client systems’ (Bushy, 2002, p. 109). One example is tapping into the knowledge and experience of ATSIHWs to culturally connect with patients and their relatives. As stated by Dunbar, Hickie, Wakerman and Reddy (2007), ‘[I]n more remote areas … we need … involving specially trained Aboriginal mental health workers supported by mental health nurse’ (p. 588). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers know the community dynamics and cultural norms, because usually they have been born and grown up in the community. If for example a patient is suicidal and needs someone to stay with them overnight, out of concerns for their safety, an ATSIHW is able to identify a culturally appropriate person.