Question regarding strategies to address discharge against medical advice (DAMA) rates for Aboriginal patients in the South Metropolitan Health Service, along with data on AHLO positions. The answer outlines strategies and provides data, but lacks specific forecasts for future AHLO positions.

AnsweredQoN 5655Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 October 2019
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to page 130 of the South Metropolitan Health Service 2018-19 Annual Report, and ask: (a) What strategies are being put in place to deal with the discharge against medical advice (DAMA) rate for Aboriginal patients; (b) What was the overall number of Aboriginal patients who discharged against medical advice; (c) How many Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO) positions were there during 2018-19; and (d) How many AHLO positions are there forecast to be in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
26 November 2019
Response time
12 days
I am advised:
(a) Strategies being put in place to address discharge against medical advice for Aboriginal patients include:
(b) 105 Aboriginal patients discharged against medical advice.
(c) The South Metropolitan Health Service had 7 full time equivalent Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer positions during 2018-19.
(d) There is no set forecast for AHLO positons in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. The South Metropolitan Health Service has a broader strategy to increase the overall Aboriginal employment throughout the organisation with the aim of improving cultural security.

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