❓ Question regarding the admission of young people (16-24) to the adult psychiatric unit in Bunbury Regional Hospital, seeking data, expressing concern, and inquiring about specialist services and funding for an adolescent inpatient facility in the South West region. The answer provides admission numbers, outlines a planning process for adolescent mental health services, clarifies staffing arrangements, and confirms no current budget allocation for a dedicated facility.
AnsweredQoN 537Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 2 at page 537 "Appropriations, Expenses and Cash Assets", and the Psychiatric Unit in Bunbury Regional Hospital, an adult facility, and the number of children between the ages of 16 and 24 years admitted to the unit, being 86 in 2009 and 68 in 2010, and ask: (a) how many children between the ages of 16 and 24 years were admitted to the unit in each 2011, 2012 and 2013; (b) is the Minister concerned about the number of adolescents being admitted to the unit; (c) does the Mental Health Commission employ a specialist child psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Unit in Bunbury and is this service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; (d) the number of adolescents being admitted to the Bunbury Adult Psychiatric Unit clearly indicate a need for an adolescent inpatient facility in the South West region, what is the Minister doing to provide an inpatient facility in the South West region; and (e) is there funding in the Budget to establish an adolescent inpatient facility in the South West region?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 December 2013
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
40 days
(a)
2011
2012
2013
68
86
88
(b) The Mental Health Commission (MHC) and the Department of Health are jointly developing a Ten Year Mental Health Services Plan (MHSP). This planning process includes modelling of the required number of inpatient beds for adolescents and youth across the State. The Plan will be completed by mid 2014 and will inform decisions about further development of services.
(c) No. All the staff employed at the Psychiatric Unit in Bunbury are employed by the Department of Health, not the Mental Health Commission. Admissions for 16 and 17 year olds are managed where possible in the general ward of the hospital with in-reach from specialist Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Consultant Psychiatrist, as required. Admissions for 18-24 year olds are managed by the Adult Psychiatric Unit (APU) Consultant Psychiatrists. A 24hour/day, 7 day/week Psychiatric Hospital Liaison service exists to support Emergency Department and ward admissions for all age groups presenting with Mental Health problems.
(d) See answer to (b) above.
(e) There is no funding allocated in the current budget to establish an adolescent inpatient facility in the South West region. See (b) above.
2011
2012
2013
68
86
88
(b) The Mental Health Commission (MHC) and the Department of Health are jointly developing a Ten Year Mental Health Services Plan (MHSP). This planning process includes modelling of the required number of inpatient beds for adolescents and youth across the State. The Plan will be completed by mid 2014 and will inform decisions about further development of services.
(c) No. All the staff employed at the Psychiatric Unit in Bunbury are employed by the Department of Health, not the Mental Health Commission. Admissions for 16 and 17 year olds are managed where possible in the general ward of the hospital with in-reach from specialist Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Consultant Psychiatrist, as required. Admissions for 18-24 year olds are managed by the Adult Psychiatric Unit (APU) Consultant Psychiatrists. A 24hour/day, 7 day/week Psychiatric Hospital Liaison service exists to support Emergency Department and ward admissions for all age groups presenting with Mental Health problems.
(d) See answer to (b) above.
(e) There is no funding allocated in the current budget to establish an adolescent inpatient facility in the South West region. See (b) above.
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