❓ Hon. Alison Xamon questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding the smoking policy in mental health facilities, specifically concerning disciplinary actions against staff allowing patients to smoke. The Minister outlines the status of a partial exemption and clarifies the operational management of the policy.
AnsweredQoN 284Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES — SMOKING
POLICY
284. Hon
ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the minister's commitment to review the
policy banning smoking in mental health institutions.
(1) Would the minister please advise the current status of
this policy?
(2) Is the
minister aware of any instances in mental health facilities whereby staff have
been given warnings or have been subject to disciplinary action for allowing
patients to smoke?
(3) If yes to (2), does the minister support this action
being taken against staff?
(4) If no to
(2), what action has the minister taken, or does the minister intend to take,
to address this issue?
POLICY
284. Hon
ALISON XAMON to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the minister's commitment to review the
policy banning smoking in mental health institutions.
(1) Would the minister please advise the current status of
this policy?
(2) Is the
minister aware of any instances in mental health facilities whereby staff have
been given warnings or have been subject to disciplinary action for allowing
patients to smoke?
(3) If yes to (2), does the minister support this action
being taken against staff?
(4) If no to
(2), what action has the minister taken, or does the minister intend to take,
to address this issue?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) My office
has the final draft of the partial exemption to the Western Australian
smoke-free policy to provide the opportunity for mental health inpatients on
locked or secure wards to smoke in outdoor designated smoking areas. This has
obviously taken a little more time because we were required to do some extra
work on the advice from the State Solicitor's Office. When I have
reviewed the document, I will consult with my cabinet colleagues. That is the
process we are going through right now.
(2) No.
(3) Not
applicable.
(4) This is an
operational issue, to be managed by the relevant health service.
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) My office
has the final draft of the partial exemption to the Western Australian
smoke-free policy to provide the opportunity for mental health inpatients on
locked or secure wards to smoke in outdoor designated smoking areas. This has
obviously taken a little more time because we were required to do some extra
work on the advice from the State Solicitor's Office. When I have
reviewed the document, I will consult with my cabinet colleagues. That is the
process we are going through right now.
(2) No.
(3) Not
applicable.
(4) This is an
operational issue, to be managed by the relevant health service.
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