❓ Question regarding the WA government's approach to mental health, specifically addressing the balance between clinical and holistic care, and the adequacy of mental health clinician numbers. The answer clarifies the government's position on holistic care and provides data on clinician staffing levels.
AnsweredQoN 2966Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to your comments on the mental health motion moved by the Hon. Linda Savage MLC in the Legislative Council on 14 October 2010, in particular that, ‘We have taken the clinical model in mental health too far in Western Australia’, and I ask -
(1) What did you mean by this statement?
(2) Is it your view that we have sufficient ’mental health’ clinicians in Western Australia?
(3) Who would you define as a clinician?
(1) What did you mean by this statement?
(2) Is it your view that we have sufficient ’mental health’ clinicians in Western Australia?
(3) Who would you define as a clinician?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 November 2010
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health
Response time
34 days
(1) It is important to view any person as a whole and recognise that they have needs that are not purely medical or clinical, especially people experiencing problems with mental health. All needs of the individual: psychological, physical, social, cultural and spiritual and those of carers where appropriate should be taken into account when determining appropriate individualised care and supporting recovery.
(2) As published in the Report on Government Services 2010, in 2007/08 WA public mental health services employed 112.8 direct care clinical FTE per 100,000 population compared to the national average of 100.8 FTE. Preliminary 2008/09 data indicates that this trend is continuing.
(3) For specialised mental health care all medical, nursing and allied health staff involved in the direct care of the patient are considered clinical staff. Medical staff includes consultant psychiatrists, psychiatry registrars, and other medical officers. Nursing staff includes registered and enrolled nurses. Allied health staff includes occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and other allied health staff. Please refer to [see tabled paper no] for national definitions.
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(2) As published in the Report on Government Services 2010, in 2007/08 WA public mental health services employed 112.8 direct care clinical FTE per 100,000 population compared to the national average of 100.8 FTE. Preliminary 2008/09 data indicates that this trend is continuing.
(3) For specialised mental health care all medical, nursing and allied health staff involved in the direct care of the patient are considered clinical staff. Medical staff includes consultant psychiatrists, psychiatry registrars, and other medical officers. Nursing staff includes registered and enrolled nurses. Allied health staff includes occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and other allied health staff. Please refer to [see tabled paper no] for national definitions.
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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