❓ Question addresses the lack of regional inpatient mental health units for older adults and seeks information on transfer criteria, decision-making processes, and support for families. The answer provides brief details on clinical criteria, collaborative decision-making, and the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme.
AnsweredQoN 286Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the absence of dedicated inpatient older adult mental health units outside the Perth Metropolitan area, and I ask: (a) what criteria determine whether a patient is transferred to a metropolitan facility; (b) are transfer decisions made by regional clinicians or metropolitan staff; and (c) what support is available to family or carers required to accompany transferred patients?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
6 days
(a) Clinical criteria.
(b) Transfer decisions are made by Regional Clinicians in collaboration with Older Adult specialist Psychiatrists in metropolitan sites depending on clinical needs of the patients.
(c) In instances where the treating specialist requests a support person be present for medical decision making, or to support the patient on discharge prior to returning home, the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme can provide travel and accommodation subsidies to the approved support person.
(b) Transfer decisions are made by Regional Clinicians in collaboration with Older Adult specialist Psychiatrists in metropolitan sites depending on clinical needs of the patients.
(c) In instances where the treating specialist requests a support person be present for medical decision making, or to support the patient on discharge prior to returning home, the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme can provide travel and accommodation subsidies to the approved support person.
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