❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on unexpected deaths and serious incidents in mental health facilities for 2009-2010. The Minister's response indicates data limitations and changes in reporting practices hinder providing specific figures.
AnsweredQoN 3812Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the role of the Chief Psychiatrist in monitoring the standards of psychiatric care and investigation and reporting under the
Mental Health Act 1996,
for both serious incidents and unexpected deaths, and ask -
(1) Can the Minister advise how many unexpected deaths of patients/residents in any mental health service/facility were reported to the Chief Psychiatrist in the years 2009 and 2010?
(2) Can the Minister advise how many serious incidents in any mental health service/facility were reported to the Chief Psychiatrist in 2009 and 2010?
(3) Of those serious incidents reported, how many were for the following categories of incident for each year 2009 and 2010, -
(a) serious assaults on or by staff, other patients or visitors;
(b) alleged sexual assault on or by staff, other patients or visitors;
(c) serious medication error which may require review;
(d) absconding of any forensic patient;
(e) absconding of any detained involuntary patient at serious risk of self-harm or harm to others;
(f) serious misuse or mistake of a function performed under the Act;
(g) involvement of any Government or non-Government organisation which is contrary to functions under the Act;
(h) criminal activity reported at a mental health facility; and
(i) any incident which by its nature or persons involved may receive attention by the media or the wider community?
Mental Health Act 1996,
for both serious incidents and unexpected deaths, and ask -
(1) Can the Minister advise how many unexpected deaths of patients/residents in any mental health service/facility were reported to the Chief Psychiatrist in the years 2009 and 2010?
(2) Can the Minister advise how many serious incidents in any mental health service/facility were reported to the Chief Psychiatrist in 2009 and 2010?
(3) Of those serious incidents reported, how many were for the following categories of incident for each year 2009 and 2010, -
(a) serious assaults on or by staff, other patients or visitors;
(b) alleged sexual assault on or by staff, other patients or visitors;
(c) serious medication error which may require review;
(d) absconding of any forensic patient;
(e) absconding of any detained involuntary patient at serious risk of self-harm or harm to others;
(f) serious misuse or mistake of a function performed under the Act;
(g) involvement of any Government or non-Government organisation which is contrary to functions under the Act;
(h) criminal activity reported at a mental health facility; and
(i) any incident which by its nature or persons involved may receive attention by the media or the wider community?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 June 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
82 days
(1) No. In October 2009, reporting requirements to the Chief Psychiatrist regarding people who died, changed. Prior to this date, only unexpected deaths of any person in the mental health system were reported - regardless of cause of death. After October 2009, all deaths both expected (including deaths from natural causes and expected physical causes) and unexpected deaths of any person in the mental health system, plus any death of any person some other way linked to the mental health system, and any person linked to any other stakeholder within the mental health system was to be reported.
Consequently, it is not possible to provide the number of unexpected deaths for the whole of 2009, or for 2010.
(2) No. The Chief Psychiatrist receives reports of all incidents and issues and does not distinguish between alleged serious and non-serious incidents.
(3)
(a) It is not possible from the incident reports received to define the discreet category requested.
(b) 2009: 3
2010: 6
(c) It is not possible from the incident reports received to define the discreet category requested.
(d) Nil in 2009 and 2010.
(e-i)It is not possible from the incident reports received to define the discreet category requested
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
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Consequently, it is not possible to provide the number of unexpected deaths for the whole of 2009, or for 2010.
(2) No. The Chief Psychiatrist receives reports of all incidents and issues and does not distinguish between alleged serious and non-serious incidents.
(3)
(a) It is not possible from the incident reports received to define the discreet category requested.
(b) 2009: 3
2010: 6
(c) It is not possible from the incident reports received to define the discreet category requested.
(d) Nil in 2009 and 2010.
(e-i)It is not possible from the incident reports received to define the discreet category requested
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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