❓ A parliamentary question regarding the death of Frances Cooper, an involuntary patient, and the Minister's response, which lacks specific answers and focuses on broader systemic issues. The exchange reveals tension and dissatisfaction with the Minister's handling of the matter.
AnsweredQoN 969Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FRANCES COOPER
Further to the death of Frances Cooper, an involuntary patient in Kalgoorlie Hospital, and the minister’s undertaking yesterday to become fully briefed on this matter. Can the minister advise — (1) When and why was Frances Cooper let out of the secure facility? (2) Who escorted her out and how long did they remain with her? (3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON
Further to the death of Frances Cooper, an involuntary patient in Kalgoorlie Hospital, and the minister’s undertaking yesterday to become fully briefed on this matter. Can the minister advise — (1) When and why was Frances Cooper let out of the secure facility? (2) Who escorted her out and how long did they remain with her? (3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(1) When and why was Frances Cooper let out of the secure facility? (2) Who escorted her out and how long did they remain with her? (3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(2) Who escorted her out and how long did they remain with her? (3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(1) When and why was Frances Cooper let out of the secure facility? (2) Who escorted her out and how long did they remain with her? (3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(2) Who escorted her out and how long did they remain with her? (3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(3) How long had she been missing and what attempts were made to find her? (4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(4) When was her family informed that she was missing? (5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(5) How did Frances Cooper come to be on her own 500 metres from the hospital and on a railway line? (6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(6) Were the police informed that an involuntary patient was missing from a secure facility; and, if so, what time were they informed? The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : That question was without notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Yes. She said she was going to get a comprehensive briefing. Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: (1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
(1)–(6) It would have been preferable had the member been able to give me some notice of that. Nevertheless, in the absence of notice — Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order, members! Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : I actually do not remember each of the six questions the member read out. I think I got down three of them. Let me say at the very outset that this is a tragic situation. I am incredibly saddened by this situation, which I was fully briefed on at 10 o’clock last night. I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Cooper. I have spoken with the Director General of Health. I sought a fuller explanation from him and his department to understand how this terrible situation could have occurred. I also spoke late last night with the executive director of the WA Country Health Service. I asked the director general to ensure that all operational procedures are undertaken to ensure this situation is fully investigated. As Minister for Mental Health, I recognise there needs to be a fundamental shift in the culture of how people with mental health are cared for in this state. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet for a minute, please. The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Let the minister answer your question. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : She is not; that is the point. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : This is evident in one of the key action areas that we have already identified in the 10-year vision around “Mental Health 2020: Making it personal and everybody’s business”. I can also add that on a trip last month to Kalgoorlie I met with executives of the Kalgoorlie WA Country Health Service and visited the secure psychiatric ward at Kalgoorlie Hospital. I spoke to staff there and got a fuller understanding of the improvements that are taking place there at the moment. In particular, a mental health liaison nurse is being recruited to the Kalgoorlie Hospital emergency department — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You haven’t answered one question! Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : You don’t understand. Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : You will just have to wait! The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Two things: first, please do not interject and, secondly, I refer to the standing orders about addressing all remarks through the Chair. If the minister would do that, I promise I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Thank you, Mr President. It is actually much more pleasant addressing you! The issue around Kalgoorlie Hospital’s mental health liaison nurse is that that person will be based in the emergency department. He or she will have a connection with all people with a mental illness coming in and out of the hospital to indicate whether they need more appropriate services and to assist in the discharging process. Of course, I have talked at length about the work taking place across the system in terms of meetings with the executive directors of WA Country Health Service and with all of the other executive directors of mental health, including the director general and the Chief Psychiatrist around improved discharge, admission and some clinical practices around that. With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
With regard to the particular question Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich asked, I want to make it absolutely clear that having got the briefing that I did and being provided with the level of information I was provided with, and also with the knowledge that the hospital has initiated a full internal analysis of the event, it is expected that a subsequent — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : We have no faith in them, I can assure you! Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Mr President, I am addressing you and somebody is interjecting. I am sure this is not somebody that you want to be interjecting on this very important, tragic and sensitive matter. As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
As I said, this situation is quite tragic and is still very recent. The family are grieving. There is real concern that providing any information over and above the preliminary work that has been provided to me would be insensitive and inappropriate. I prefer to wait until the full root–cause analysis has been undertaken before I provide any more information.
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