❓ Ljiljanna Ravlich questions the Minister for Mental Health about patient deaths at the Alma Street Centre and discussions with the Premier. The Minister details reviews underway and assures the Premier is fully informed.
AnsweredQoN 1005Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ALMA STREET CENTRE — PATIENT DEATHS
I refer to the tragic and unnecessary deaths this year of three people who were either turned away or discharged early from Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre. (1) Given the importance of this issue, has the minister discussed the issue of Alma Street mental health centre and these three suicides with the Premier? (2) If so, when did the minister discuss the matter with the Premier; and, if she has not, why not? (3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON
I refer to the tragic and unnecessary deaths this year of three people who were either turned away or discharged early from Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre. (1) Given the importance of this issue, has the minister discussed the issue of Alma Street mental health centre and these three suicides with the Premier? (2) If so, when did the minister discuss the matter with the Premier; and, if she has not, why not? (3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(1) Given the importance of this issue, has the minister discussed the issue of Alma Street mental health centre and these three suicides with the Premier? (2) If so, when did the minister discuss the matter with the Premier; and, if she has not, why not? (3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(2) If so, when did the minister discuss the matter with the Premier; and, if she has not, why not? (3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(1) Given the importance of this issue, has the minister discussed the issue of Alma Street mental health centre and these three suicides with the Premier? (2) If so, when did the minister discuss the matter with the Premier; and, if she has not, why not? (3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(2) If so, when did the minister discuss the matter with the Premier; and, if she has not, why not? (3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(3) Has the minister discussed with the Premier the need for a full coronial investigation into these three deaths and into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street mental health centre; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(4) If yes to (3), when did the minister have that discussion with the Premier? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
I will follow my new approach of talking directly through the President! (1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
(1)–(4) Mr President, I am again really pleased to re-emphasise the importance of this issue. I take the opportunity to again explain that mental illness is really serious and that people die from it. Despite the very best endeavours of all the clinical people involved in their care, their families and friends, and all services that are provided, unfortunately, people still die from mental illness. I really want to make that point because I think that in spite of the concern that is being expressed by Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich on this matter, she has the view that, somehow or other, people do not die from mental illness, but I want to make it clear that it is incredibly serious and does happen. In the same way, people who die of cancer or cardiovascular disease may also have had recent contact with hospitals. In cases of people who die from suspected suicide, the coroner investigates every one of those deaths. Simultaneously, every one of those incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist. A complete review is undertaken with a root-cause analysis. All the investigation that goes with a sentinel event takes place at the same time. Both those circumstances work in parallel. In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
In terms of the work I commenced around six weeks ago, I indicated that I wanted to put in place two reviews. One was to have the Chief Psychiatrist go back and review the clinical decisions around the admission and discharges of all people who had had an association with the Alma Street hospital and who died in a short time frame following that. Of course the Chief Psychiatrist is underway in that process. At the same time, having met with executive directors of the mental health service providers across the state, with the Director General of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner, the Chief Psychiatrist and others, we talked about, and have talked about now over a period of time, the need for a complete overhaul of discharge planning and admission work for mental health services across the state. That process is now being undertaken by an independent reviewer. It is jointly funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health, reporting directly to me. I understand that review will probably take about four months. In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
In the meantime that information has all been passed on to the Premier. In that process, the honourable member opposite can be assured that the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect. He is also aware that the State Coroner investigates every suspected suicide. I have heard the honourable member call for a coronial investigation. If the State Coroner decides to hold an investigation into this, there is no doubt that we will participate in full and fully support such an investigation, but, to be honest, I am not going to wait for that to take place. At this stage I have put in place two parallel reviews reporting directly to me. Part of that is to make sure that families have a big involvement in providing information into what their contact and input has been in both the admission and discharge processes. I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
I have no idea what the honourable member opposite is trying to get at and whether she thinks that somehow or other the Premier is not across all this information. This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. He gets briefing notes the same way that other people get briefing notes about what we are doing. Whether that is satisfactory for anybody else, it is certainly the way that we operate. Thank you.
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