❓ A WA parliamentarian questions the Minister for Veterans Issues regarding a veteran's mental health crisis and access to services. The Minister deflects responsibility for health services to the Health Minister and highlights state government funding for veteran support programs.
AnsweredQoN 1313Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEFENCE FORCE VETERANS — MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
1313. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the minister representing the
Minister for Veterans Issues:
I refer to the report of a Navy
veteran suffering PTSD being left for over 48 hours in the middle of an
emergency waiting area at Peel Health Campus because no mental health beds were
available.
(1) Has the
minister initiated an investigation of this matter?
(2) What actions
has the minister taken to ensure that current and past members of the Defence
Force, especially those suffering PTSD, have access to suitable mental health
services?
1313. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the minister representing the
Minister for Veterans Issues:
I refer to the report of a Navy
veteran suffering PTSD being left for over 48 hours in the middle of an
emergency waiting area at Peel Health Campus because no mental health beds were
available.
(1) Has the
minister initiated an investigation of this matter?
(2) What actions
has the minister taken to ensure that current and past members of the Defence
Force, especially those suffering PTSD, have access to suitable mental health
services?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The provision
of health services in Western Australia is a matter for the Minister for
Health.
(2) The
Department of Veterans' Affairs and federal Minister for Veterans'
Affairs and Defence Personnel have primary responsibility for veterans. The
state government aims to complement services for veterans provided by the
federal government. In 2021, the state government increased its funding
contribution to the Anzac Day Trust grants program by $1 million a year, to
$1.3 million a year. This uplift has ensured crucial funding for projects such
as the veteran employment program run by Working Spirit and RSLWA, the Andrew
Russell Veteran Living program operated by the Air Force Association of Western
Australia, and the Veterans' Transition Centre in Jarrahdale. In
addition, in 2023 a $430 000 grant was awarded to RSLWA and Kaizen K9 to
establish a psychiatric assistance dog provider in Western Australia. The pilot
program is ongoing, with four dogs being paired with eligible veterans.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The provision
of health services in Western Australia is a matter for the Minister for
Health.
(2) The
Department of Veterans' Affairs and federal Minister for Veterans'
Affairs and Defence Personnel have primary responsibility for veterans. The
state government aims to complement services for veterans provided by the
federal government. In 2021, the state government increased its funding
contribution to the Anzac Day Trust grants program by $1 million a year, to
$1.3 million a year. This uplift has ensured crucial funding for projects such
as the veteran employment program run by Working Spirit and RSLWA, the Andrew
Russell Veteran Living program operated by the Air Force Association of Western
Australia, and the Veterans' Transition Centre in Jarrahdale. In
addition, in 2023 a $430 000 grant was awarded to RSLWA and Kaizen K9 to
establish a psychiatric assistance dog provider in Western Australia. The pilot
program is ongoing, with four dogs being paired with eligible veterans.
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