❓ Mr Cook raises concerns about deaths at the Alma Street mental health facility and seeks a coronial inquiry. The Minister for Health acknowledges the issue, defers to the Minister for Mental Health's ongoing investigation, and expresses sympathy to a bereaved father.
AnsweredQoN 336Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ALMA STREET CENTRE — DEATHS
336. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the 15 deaths that occurred at Fremantle Hospital's
Alma Street mental health facility in 2011 and the further six to seven deaths
that occurred immediately after patients were discharged from that clinic.
(1) Does the
minister accept that the number of deaths in and around this clinic is
significant and unacceptably high?
(2) Is the
minister aware that Geoff Diver, the father of one of the patients who took
their own life, has withdrawn from the mental health advisory panel because of
the lack of information and support from the Department of Health?
(3) Given
these facts and the community anger, will the minister support a full coronial
inquiry into these deaths so that the grieving families can get some answers?
336. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the 15 deaths that occurred at Fremantle Hospital's
Alma Street mental health facility in 2011 and the further six to seven deaths
that occurred immediately after patients were discharged from that clinic.
(1) Does the
minister accept that the number of deaths in and around this clinic is
significant and unacceptably high?
(2) Is the
minister aware that Geoff Diver, the father of one of the patients who took
their own life, has withdrawn from the mental health advisory panel because of
the lack of information and support from the Department of Health?
(3) Given
these facts and the community anger, will the minister support a full coronial
inquiry into these deaths so that the grieving families can get some answers?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
I am aware of the problem that has been assessed through Fremantle Hospital and
the clinic. As the member will be aware, the Minister for Mental Health has
responsibility for this area, and indeed she is working very hard to have it
addressed and assessed. She has an investigation underway into the
circumstances surrounding those events, and my belief is that she will come up
with recommendations, responses and any action that is required to be taken
that cabinet will consider in the future.
I am also aware of the resignation
of Mr Diver and the reason behind it. My impression is that he would like to be
in a position of not being on a committee and therefore able to have a go
publicly about what is happening on issues surrounding the death of his
daughter, and I understand that. It must be very difficult indeed for a parent
who has lost a child in those tragic circumstances, so I understand his move to
do that. My understanding also, though, is that although he has not been given
details on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of all those people who
were involved, he has been offered details around the death of his own
daughter. Therefore, he will be provided with all the information as it relates
to his own daughter from the review that has looked into those circumstances.
Mr E.S. Ripper :
What about an inquiry by the coroner? Would you support that?
Dr
K.D. HAMES : There is an inquiry by the coroner into any death that is
unexplained.
Mr
P.C. Tinley : No, there's not.
Dr
K.D. HAMES : My understanding is that there is going to be one.
Mr
P.C. Tinley : It's a sentinel event.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Whatever. It is a sentinel event and those all get an inquiry.
Mr P.C. Tinley :
No, they don't.
Dr
K.D. HAMES : They do so!
Mr
P.C. Tinley : The coroner does not investigate.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Willagee!
Mr P.C. Tinley : I'll
give you a case.
Dr
K.D. HAMES : All right; you do that.
The SPEAKER : I
think all members of this place will appreciate that there is some sensitivity
around the question and the answer, and I would like members to respect that. I
am going to give the member for Kwinana an opportunity to ask a supplementary
question, if that is his desire.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
made the point earlier that the Minister for Mental Health is responding to
this issue, and she will have access to all the details about inquiries that
are or are not being undertaken. I do know that we offer Mr Diver every
sympathy on the tragic death of his daughter, and, as a government, we will do
everything we can to support him and make sure as much as possible that we
restrict any management practices that may have contributed in any way to this
outcome.
I am aware of the problem that has been assessed through Fremantle Hospital and
the clinic. As the member will be aware, the Minister for Mental Health has
responsibility for this area, and indeed she is working very hard to have it
addressed and assessed. She has an investigation underway into the
circumstances surrounding those events, and my belief is that she will come up
with recommendations, responses and any action that is required to be taken
that cabinet will consider in the future.
I am also aware of the resignation
of Mr Diver and the reason behind it. My impression is that he would like to be
in a position of not being on a committee and therefore able to have a go
publicly about what is happening on issues surrounding the death of his
daughter, and I understand that. It must be very difficult indeed for a parent
who has lost a child in those tragic circumstances, so I understand his move to
do that. My understanding also, though, is that although he has not been given
details on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of all those people who
were involved, he has been offered details around the death of his own
daughter. Therefore, he will be provided with all the information as it relates
to his own daughter from the review that has looked into those circumstances.
Mr E.S. Ripper :
What about an inquiry by the coroner? Would you support that?
Dr
K.D. HAMES : There is an inquiry by the coroner into any death that is
unexplained.
Mr
P.C. Tinley : No, there's not.
Dr
K.D. HAMES : My understanding is that there is going to be one.
Mr
P.C. Tinley : It's a sentinel event.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Whatever. It is a sentinel event and those all get an inquiry.
Mr P.C. Tinley :
No, they don't.
Dr
K.D. HAMES : They do so!
Mr
P.C. Tinley : The coroner does not investigate.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Willagee!
Mr P.C. Tinley : I'll
give you a case.
Dr
K.D. HAMES : All right; you do that.
The SPEAKER : I
think all members of this place will appreciate that there is some sensitivity
around the question and the answer, and I would like members to respect that. I
am going to give the member for Kwinana an opportunity to ask a supplementary
question, if that is his desire.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I
made the point earlier that the Minister for Mental Health is responding to
this issue, and she will have access to all the details about inquiries that
are or are not being undertaken. I do know that we offer Mr Diver every
sympathy on the tragic death of his daughter, and, as a government, we will do
everything we can to support him and make sure as much as possible that we
restrict any management practices that may have contributed in any way to this
outcome.
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