❓ Question regarding the transfer of two elderly Indigenous women from their community to a care facility, and whether proper consultation and consent were obtained. The Minister confirms the transfer and SAT involvement, citing privacy concerns in withholding family member details and lack of ministerial authority to override SAT orders.
AnsweredQoN 3810Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter, dated 6 August 2015, and signed by members of the Jigalong community, a copy of which can be found on my website at http://robinchapple.com/2015-08-06-jigalong-elders-family-not-consulted, and ask: (a) is the Minister aware that two elders, Ms Chicken Tango and Ms Amy Handley, were transferred from their community at Jigalong to Karlarra House, South Hedland, on 28 July 2015; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) were all family members of Ms Chicken Tango and Ms Amy Handley consulted before they were transferred; (d) was consent provided by the families of both women for them to be transferred; (e) if yes to (d), which family members provided that consent; and (f) given the age and frailty of both women, will the Minister intervene to respect their, and their families, wishes to remain on country for the remainder of their lives?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 March 2016
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
30 days
(a) Yes. It is understood that the transfer occurred on 28 July 2015 and consent orders were made by the State Administration Tribunal (SAT) on
8 September 2015 and 20 October 2015 respectively.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) advises that Silver Chain coordinates respite care admissions for Jigalong and undertook the community consultation with the Jigalong Community Chief Executive Officer, the families and the Community Council.
(d) WACHS understands that Silver Chain consulted with four family members as the next of kin, and these family members were accepting of the transfer occurring.
(e) I cannot provide these details as it would be a breach of privacy to publicly release personal information about the four family members without their consent.
(f) No. Once consent orders from the SAT are applied, the Minister for Health does not have the authority to intervene or alter the SAT Orders.
8 September 2015 and 20 October 2015 respectively.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) advises that Silver Chain coordinates respite care admissions for Jigalong and undertook the community consultation with the Jigalong Community Chief Executive Officer, the families and the Community Council.
(d) WACHS understands that Silver Chain consulted with four family members as the next of kin, and these family members were accepting of the transfer occurring.
(e) I cannot provide these details as it would be a breach of privacy to publicly release personal information about the four family members without their consent.
(f) No. Once consent orders from the SAT are applied, the Minister for Health does not have the authority to intervene or alter the SAT Orders.
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