❓ Question on the use of tasers by WA Police on individuals with mental illness and protocols for their apprehension and care. The answer indicates existing collaboration and policy updates to address the concerns.
AnsweredQoN 5199Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist formally monitor the use of Tasers by Western Australian Police (WAPOL) on people with mental health illness?
(2) Will the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist work with WAPOL to develop a state-wide protocol for the apprehension of mental health persons by police?
(3) Can the Minister please provide to the Parliament a progress report on the Mental Health Operational Review Committee's recommendations that Mental Health -
(a) develop an agreed protocol with WAPOL to ensure information about the use of Taser on an apprehended person is always made available to the receiving Mental Health Service;
(b) includes in a training package for medical and nursing staff the higher duty of care owed persons entering the Mental Health Service who have been Tasered by police;
(c) develop and promulgate clear guidelines for medical and nursing staff on the importance of a thorough physical and medical examination at point of entry to the Mental Health Service; and
(d) undertakes further research to ascertain if there is any evidence of a particular risk to persons who are taking atypical anti-psychotic medications that may compromise their cardiac health by the use of a Taser?
(2) Will the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist work with WAPOL to develop a state-wide protocol for the apprehension of mental health persons by police?
(3) Can the Minister please provide to the Parliament a progress report on the Mental Health Operational Review Committee's recommendations that Mental Health -
(a) develop an agreed protocol with WAPOL to ensure information about the use of Taser on an apprehended person is always made available to the receiving Mental Health Service;
(b) includes in a training package for medical and nursing staff the higher duty of care owed persons entering the Mental Health Service who have been Tasered by police;
(c) develop and promulgate clear guidelines for medical and nursing staff on the importance of a thorough physical and medical examination at point of entry to the Mental Health Service; and
(d) undertakes further research to ascertain if there is any evidence of a particular risk to persons who are taking atypical anti-psychotic medications that may compromise their cardiac health by the use of a Taser?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
57 days
(1) No.
(2) The Chief Psychiatrist is a member of the Mental Health Operations Review Committee (MHORC). MHORC is working with the Western Australian Police (WAPOL) to update the
'Protocol Between the Western Australia Police Service and the Mental Health Division of the Health Department of Western Australia'
that includes procedures for the apprehension by police of persons suspected of having a mental illness.
(3)
(a) WAPOL now ensure that any person that is tasered is taken to the Emergency Department for assessment. This information is included in subsequent transfer documentation.
(b) The Triage and Assessment of Referrals policy has been updated to include information and guidelines for care of people who have been tasered. Education regarding policies is ongoing.
(c) Policies around admission of patients (including the needs for physical examination) are clear and reviewed regularly.
(d) A literature review has not been conclusive on this issue.
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(2) The Chief Psychiatrist is a member of the Mental Health Operations Review Committee (MHORC). MHORC is working with the Western Australian Police (WAPOL) to update the
'Protocol Between the Western Australia Police Service and the Mental Health Division of the Health Department of Western Australia'
that includes procedures for the apprehension by police of persons suspected of having a mental illness.
(3)
(a) WAPOL now ensure that any person that is tasered is taken to the Emergency Department for assessment. This information is included in subsequent transfer documentation.
(b) The Triage and Assessment of Referrals policy has been updated to include information and guidelines for care of people who have been tasered. Education regarding policies is ongoing.
(c) Policies around admission of patients (including the needs for physical examination) are clear and reviewed regularly.
(d) A literature review has not been conclusive on this issue.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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