❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the potential closure of mental health services in Clarkson and the capacity of existing services to accommodate clients. The Minister denies the closure and addresses concerns about GP availability and Medicare Local operations.
AnsweredQoN 5182Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Clarkson Adult Mental Health Service slated for closure shortly?
(2) How are those clients being accommodated with Joondalup case mix given that there is a wait list?
(3) If Clarkson Adult Mental Health Services is slated for closure, does that include the Clarkson Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service?
(4) If yes to (3), where are those clients being redirected to?
(5) Is the Minister aware that Medicare Locals are not running in those catchments areas yet and therefore there is a supply and demand problem?
(6) Is the Minister aware that General Practitioners (GP) in Joondalup area are not taking new mental health clients on their books?
(7) Can the Minister please explain how closures such as Morley Adult Mental Health in 2009 and now Clarkson Adult Mental Health proceed when services and/or GP supports have not been significantly increased to cater for the needs of these people?
(2) How are those clients being accommodated with Joondalup case mix given that there is a wait list?
(3) If Clarkson Adult Mental Health Services is slated for closure, does that include the Clarkson Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service?
(4) If yes to (3), where are those clients being redirected to?
(5) Is the Minister aware that Medicare Locals are not running in those catchments areas yet and therefore there is a supply and demand problem?
(6) Is the Minister aware that General Practitioners (GP) in Joondalup area are not taking new mental health clients on their books?
(7) Can the Minister please explain how closures such as Morley Adult Mental Health in 2009 and now Clarkson Adult Mental Health proceed when services and/or GP supports have not been significantly increased to cater for the needs of these people?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
57 days
(1) No.
(2 - 4) Not applicable.
(5) The Perth North Medicare Local (PNML) which is running in this catchment area began it's operation in in July 2011. Its catchment area is between Woodlands and beyond Two Rocks and west of Alexander Drive. Clarkson, surrounding suburbs and Joondalup Health Campus are within PNML catchment. Mental health is a key strategic objective of PNML. PNML opened a new Headspace Office for the Northern suburbs in March 2012 focussing on youth mental health.
There are approximately 93 GP practices in the area to cater for the population.
(6) The GP liaison officer, who is employed by NMAHS Mental Health is unaware of issues of GP practices not taking on new mental health clients within the area. On a more general note the GP liaison officer is aware that some GPs do close their books to all new clients whether they are general or mental health related.
(7) Clarkson clinic is not closing. Residents of the Morley area have full access to community mental health services, with no reduction in staffing for those residents. Services are provided through the clinics closest to home which include the Inner City, Mirrabooka and Swan Community Mental Health clinics.
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(2 - 4) Not applicable.
(5) The Perth North Medicare Local (PNML) which is running in this catchment area began it's operation in in July 2011. Its catchment area is between Woodlands and beyond Two Rocks and west of Alexander Drive. Clarkson, surrounding suburbs and Joondalup Health Campus are within PNML catchment. Mental health is a key strategic objective of PNML. PNML opened a new Headspace Office for the Northern suburbs in March 2012 focussing on youth mental health.
There are approximately 93 GP practices in the area to cater for the population.
(6) The GP liaison officer, who is employed by NMAHS Mental Health is unaware of issues of GP practices not taking on new mental health clients within the area. On a more general note the GP liaison officer is aware that some GPs do close their books to all new clients whether they are general or mental health related.
(7) Clarkson clinic is not closing. Residents of the Morley area have full access to community mental health services, with no reduction in staffing for those residents. Services are provided through the clinics closest to home which include the Inner City, Mirrabooka and Swan Community Mental Health clinics.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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