❓ A parliamentary question addresses smoking-related illnesses among mental health patients and the implementation of a smoking ban in mental health facilities. The Minister acknowledges the issue, provides statistics, and confirms the smoke-free policy implementation.
AnsweredQoN 1266Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS - SMOKING
(1) Is the minister aware of how many involuntary mental health patients in secure residential care provided by the government have serious physical illnesses caused by smoking; and, if yes, how many? (2) Is the minister aware of how many of the 454 people who died while receiving treatment in the mental health system last year died as a result of a physical illness caused by smoking; and, if yes, how many? (3) What problems are yet to be resolved for the implementation of a ban on smoking in open mental health wards by 1 January 2008? (4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY
(1) Is the minister aware of how many involuntary mental health patients in secure residential care provided by the government have serious physical illnesses caused by smoking; and, if yes, how many? (2) Is the minister aware of how many of the 454 people who died while receiving treatment in the mental health system last year died as a result of a physical illness caused by smoking; and, if yes, how many? (3) What problems are yet to be resolved for the implementation of a ban on smoking in open mental health wards by 1 January 2008? (4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(2) Is the minister aware of how many of the 454 people who died while receiving treatment in the mental health system last year died as a result of a physical illness caused by smoking; and, if yes, how many? (3) What problems are yet to be resolved for the implementation of a ban on smoking in open mental health wards by 1 January 2008? (4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(3) What problems are yet to be resolved for the implementation of a ban on smoking in open mental health wards by 1 January 2008? (4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(2) Is the minister aware of how many of the 454 people who died while receiving treatment in the mental health system last year died as a result of a physical illness caused by smoking; and, if yes, how many? (3) What problems are yet to be resolved for the implementation of a ban on smoking in open mental health wards by 1 January 2008? (4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(3) What problems are yet to be resolved for the implementation of a ban on smoking in open mental health wards by 1 January 2008? (4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(4) Will any provisions be made for involuntary patients in secure mental health environments to continue to smoke if they are able to make their own decisions and wish to continue smoking? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(1) The physical health and tobacco use of all patients are assessed routinely upon admission to an authorised mental health facility, and this information is recorded in individual patient medical records. The information is not collected within the mental health information system, therefore, summary figures are not available. A survey conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that 43 per cent of people with a mental illness smoke, while the smoking rate for the wider community is 15 per cent. A study conducted by the South Australian Flinders Medical Centre reported that people with a mental illness have a 30 per cent greater incidence of heart disease and respiratory disorders as a result of their high rates of smoking. The study also found that 48 per cent of smokers wanted to quit for the same reasons given by the general community - health concerns, a desire to save money, social reasons and the maintenance of control over their lives. This underlines the importance of smoke-free health facilities, and the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the health of all Western Australians. (2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(2) The number of people who were seen by the public mental health system last year and who died from diseases related to smoking is not separately recorded. (3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(3) Western Australian public mental health services are on track for the implementation of the WA smoke-free policy on 1 January 2008. (4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
(4) All Department of Health facilities will be smoke free from 1 January 2008, including mental health inpatient units. The Frankland Centre, a maximum-security inpatient forensic mental health unit, was the first mental health facility in the state to make the transition to a clean air environment. The service went smoke free on 1 July. Patients have adapted well to the policy and have replaced smoking with healthier recreational and stress management activities.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.