❓ Hon Kate Doust questions the Minister for Health regarding a vacant and allegedly abolished Carer Consultant position at Rockingham General Hospital's mental health unit, focusing on funding, lack of consultation, and the importance of the role. The Minister's response clarifies the timeline of vacancy, justification for not filling the role, funding status, and denies the position's abolishment.
AnsweredQoN 807Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ROCKINGHAM GENERAL
HOSPITAL — MENTAL HEALTH UNIT
807. Hon KATE DOUST to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the full-time equivalent position of carer
consultant at Mimidi Park mental health inpatient unit at Rockingham General
Hospital.
(1) Why has
this position remained vacant and unfilled since early 2012, given that it was
considered by consumers, family members and carers as a very important
resource?
(2) Why did
the authorising officer for this position refuse to fill the position despite
requests and inquiries from consumer and carer advocates?
(3) What has
happened to the funding attached to this position—salary and other
costs—since it became vacant in early 2012?
(4) Why has
this position now been abolished as per the operational directive dated 23 October
2013, item 7, without any consultation with consumers, carers and advocates?
HOSPITAL — MENTAL HEALTH UNIT
807. Hon KATE DOUST to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the full-time equivalent position of carer
consultant at Mimidi Park mental health inpatient unit at Rockingham General
Hospital.
(1) Why has
this position remained vacant and unfilled since early 2012, given that it was
considered by consumers, family members and carers as a very important
resource?
(2) Why did
the authorising officer for this position refuse to fill the position despite
requests and inquiries from consumer and carer advocates?
(3) What has
happened to the funding attached to this position—salary and other
costs—since it became vacant in early 2012?
(4) Why has
this position now been abolished as per the operational directive dated 23 October
2013, item 7, without any consultation with consumers, carers and advocates?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1) The position
became vacant on 7 September 2012 due to resignation. As with any resignation,
a review of the vacant position occurred.
(2) The
request to fill the position was reviewed in the context of all resources
available locally for mental health consumers, family members and carers. The
carer–consultant key responsibility was to ''respond to family
and carer needs for information and assistance to understand mental illness and
treatment pathways''. As this is the role and responsibility of all
clinical staff, the carer consultant was not considered a priority role to fill
at that time.
(3) The
position was never funded within the affordable budget for the service.
(4) The
position has not been abolished.
of this question.
(1) The position
became vacant on 7 September 2012 due to resignation. As with any resignation,
a review of the vacant position occurred.
(2) The
request to fill the position was reviewed in the context of all resources
available locally for mental health consumers, family members and carers. The
carer–consultant key responsibility was to ''respond to family
and carer needs for information and assistance to understand mental illness and
treatment pathways''. As this is the role and responsibility of all
clinical staff, the carer consultant was not considered a priority role to fill
at that time.
(3) The
position was never funded within the affordable budget for the service.
(4) The
position has not been abolished.
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