❓ Question regarding the treatment of mental health patients in WA, specifically concerning referrals to emergency departments and the use of intravenous medication. The response clarifies referral pathways and denies the claim about intravenous medication being used as a primary management tool in EDs.
AnsweredQoN 3853Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Are any mental health clients on forms one and three being taken to emergency departments (EDs) instead of going directly to mental health units?
(2) Is it true that aggressive or agitated mental health patients are being given intravenous medication because it is the only way that EDs can manage them, whereas clients admitted directly to a mental health unit are given intra- muscular medication?
(3) Why is intravenous medication being given to mental health patients as a management tool?
(2) Is it true that aggressive or agitated mental health patients are being given intravenous medication because it is the only way that EDs can manage them, whereas clients admitted directly to a mental health unit are given intra- muscular medication?
(3) Why is intravenous medication being given to mental health patients as a management tool?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
42 days
(1) Yes. The
Mental Health Act 1996
provides medical practitioners and authorised mental health practitioners options of where to refer a person they suspect has a mental illness to be examined by a psychiatrist. Persons can be referred to authorised hospitals or 'another place' such as a hospital Emergency Department, clinic or unauthorised facility where a psychiatrist can conduct an examination. The decision as to where to refer the person lies with the referrer and variables such as the person's medical condition and mental state.
(2) No. Hospital Emergency Departments manage patients using medication only as appropriate to the condition and risks associated with their state.
(3) Not applicable.
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Mental Health Act 1996
provides medical practitioners and authorised mental health practitioners options of where to refer a person they suspect has a mental illness to be examined by a psychiatrist. Persons can be referred to authorised hospitals or 'another place' such as a hospital Emergency Department, clinic or unauthorised facility where a psychiatrist can conduct an examination. The decision as to where to refer the person lies with the referrer and variables such as the person's medical condition and mental state.
(2) No. Hospital Emergency Departments manage patients using medication only as appropriate to the condition and risks associated with their state.
(3) Not applicable.
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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