❓ Hon Dr Brian Walker questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding long wait times for under-18s to access clinical psychologists, particularly within the Child Development Service (CDS). The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines current wait times, number of children waiting, and government initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 330Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS — WAIT TIMES
330. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer the minister to wait times
published in The West Australian some six months ago, on 1 September
2022, suggesting that under-18s faced, at that time, more than a year's
wait to see a clinical psychologist.
(1) What is the current median wait
time in months for an under-18 to access a clinical psychologist?
(2) How many children are currently
waiting to see a clinical psychologist in the public health system?
(3) What is the
McGowan government doing to reduce these wait times, and what can I, as a GP,
tell a patient of mine who contacted me just
last week, complaining that her teenage daughter faced a wholly unacceptable two-year wait for treatment?
330. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer the minister to wait times
published in The West Australian some six months ago, on 1 September
2022, suggesting that under-18s faced, at that time, more than a year's
wait to see a clinical psychologist.
(1) What is the current median wait
time in months for an under-18 to access a clinical psychologist?
(2) How many children are currently
waiting to see a clinical psychologist in the public health system?
(3) What is the
McGowan government doing to reduce these wait times, and what can I, as a GP,
tell a patient of mine who contacted me just
last week, complaining that her teenage daughter faced a wholly unacceptable two-year wait for treatment?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
The article the member references
pertains to wait times in the government-funded Child Development Service— CDS—which provides a range of assessment,
early intervention and treatment services to children with developmental delays or difficulties that impact on function, participation and/or parent–child
relationships.
(1) Children
referred to a clinical psychologist at CDS are provided with a telephone
service planning appointment with a nurse or allied health professional within
eight to 12 weeks of referral. In WA Country Health—WACHS—service
regions, this occurs within six weeks of referral. At this appointment, parent
concerns are discussed, the referral is triaged and parents are provided with
appropriate resources for managing their child's presenting issues.
Current wait times for a CDS clinical psychologist is 17 months in the
metropolitan area and three months in WA Country Health Service regions.
(2) There are 1 810
children currently on the metropolitan CDS waitlist, and a further 144 children
are on the waitlist in WACHS regions. Children referred to the acute setting,
such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service's Crisis
Connect, are seen immediately.
(3) The McGowan
government supported the establishment of a Select Committee into Child
Development Services and will consider the committee's recommendations
when they are presented to government. WA Health continues to actively recruit
to support the delivery of mental health services to children and young people.
some notice of the question.
The article the member references
pertains to wait times in the government-funded Child Development Service— CDS—which provides a range of assessment,
early intervention and treatment services to children with developmental delays or difficulties that impact on function, participation and/or parent–child
relationships.
(1) Children
referred to a clinical psychologist at CDS are provided with a telephone
service planning appointment with a nurse or allied health professional within
eight to 12 weeks of referral. In WA Country Health—WACHS—service
regions, this occurs within six weeks of referral. At this appointment, parent
concerns are discussed, the referral is triaged and parents are provided with
appropriate resources for managing their child's presenting issues.
Current wait times for a CDS clinical psychologist is 17 months in the
metropolitan area and three months in WA Country Health Service regions.
(2) There are 1 810
children currently on the metropolitan CDS waitlist, and a further 144 children
are on the waitlist in WACHS regions. Children referred to the acute setting,
such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service's Crisis
Connect, are seen immediately.
(3) The McGowan
government supported the establishment of a Select Committee into Child
Development Services and will consider the committee's recommendations
when they are presented to government. WA Health continues to actively recruit
to support the delivery of mental health services to children and young people.
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