❓ Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding the mistaken detention of Tristan Dimer at Graylands Hospital, seeking details about his detentions, assistance provided, ongoing care, and compensation. The Minister provides answers, citing privacy concerns and ongoing legal processes.
AnsweredQoN 202Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TRISTAN
DIMER — GRAYLANDS HOSPITAL
202. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to media reports about the unbelievable case of
mistaken identity in which Tristan Dimer was detained in Graylands Hospital in
the belief that he was someone else.
(1) How many
times was Mr Dimer detained at Graylands Hospital between 1 December 2012 and
31 January 2013?
(2) What were the circumstances of
each detention?
(3) Was Mr Dimer
detained at any time during this period when the detention was not at the
direction of the court; and, if so, on what basis was Mr Dimer detained?
(4) What
assistance was provided to Mr Dimer at the time of his discharge or discharges
from Graylands?
(5) Is the
minister aware of her spokeswoman's advice that Mr Dimer is continuing
to receive care and assistance; and, if so, what care and assistance is Mr
Dimer receiving?
(6) Has Mr Dimer received
compensation for his ordeal; and, if not, why not?
(7) When does the minister expect a
decision on compensation to be made?
DIMER — GRAYLANDS HOSPITAL
202. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to media reports about the unbelievable case of
mistaken identity in which Tristan Dimer was detained in Graylands Hospital in
the belief that he was someone else.
(1) How many
times was Mr Dimer detained at Graylands Hospital between 1 December 2012 and
31 January 2013?
(2) What were the circumstances of
each detention?
(3) Was Mr Dimer
detained at any time during this period when the detention was not at the
direction of the court; and, if so, on what basis was Mr Dimer detained?
(4) What
assistance was provided to Mr Dimer at the time of his discharge or discharges
from Graylands?
(5) Is the
minister aware of her spokeswoman's advice that Mr Dimer is continuing
to receive care and assistance; and, if so, what care and assistance is Mr
Dimer receiving?
(6) Has Mr Dimer received
compensation for his ordeal; and, if not, why not?
(7) When does the minister expect a
decision on compensation to be made?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
I understand the member's
interest in this matter and note that there also has been media and a public
interest to clarify the member's concerns. Although I am prepared to
provide answers to these questions, I wish to preface my answer by stating that
the member has sought specific information relating to Mr Dimer's
personal medical record. Any decision to provide information relating to an
individual's private details is done so after very careful
consideration.
(1) Three times.
(2) The first
related to the occasion of his misidentification. On the second occasion, he
was detained under hospital orders from the Midland Magistrates Court, and on
the third occasion, he was detained on a form 6 ''Involuntary Treatment
in Approved Hospital'' order under the Mental Health Act 1996.
(3) Please refer to (2).
(4) Mr Dimer
was assisted to locate accommodation and provided with a flight to Kalgoorlie.
He was accompanied by a mental health clinician on this flight, a common
occurrence for mental health patients unfamiliar with air travel. At the time
of his relocation to Kalgoorlie, Mr Dimer was keen to move to Kalgoorlie as he
has family members who live in Kalgoorlie and travel between Kalgoorlie and the
Perth metropolitan area.
(5) This
answer is in response to whether I am aware of the spokesperson's
advice. Yes, and Mr Dimer continues to be offered psychiatric and case
management support from the Specialist Aboriginal Mental Health Service—SAMHS.
In addition, he has been offered legal advice about compensation.
(6) The North
Metropolitan Health Service has sought advice from the State Solicitor's
Office regarding the matter of compensation for Mr Dimer. An application for an
administration or guardianship order is to be heard by the State Administrative
Tribunal on 24 June 2013. The State Solicitor's Office will provide
advice following the SAT hearing.
(7) The
decision regarding compensation will be made by me once I have had an
opportunity to review the SSO advice, and only after the outcome of the SAT hearing
on 24 June 2013.
of this question.
I understand the member's
interest in this matter and note that there also has been media and a public
interest to clarify the member's concerns. Although I am prepared to
provide answers to these questions, I wish to preface my answer by stating that
the member has sought specific information relating to Mr Dimer's
personal medical record. Any decision to provide information relating to an
individual's private details is done so after very careful
consideration.
(1) Three times.
(2) The first
related to the occasion of his misidentification. On the second occasion, he
was detained under hospital orders from the Midland Magistrates Court, and on
the third occasion, he was detained on a form 6 ''Involuntary Treatment
in Approved Hospital'' order under the Mental Health Act 1996.
(3) Please refer to (2).
(4) Mr Dimer
was assisted to locate accommodation and provided with a flight to Kalgoorlie.
He was accompanied by a mental health clinician on this flight, a common
occurrence for mental health patients unfamiliar with air travel. At the time
of his relocation to Kalgoorlie, Mr Dimer was keen to move to Kalgoorlie as he
has family members who live in Kalgoorlie and travel between Kalgoorlie and the
Perth metropolitan area.
(5) This
answer is in response to whether I am aware of the spokesperson's
advice. Yes, and Mr Dimer continues to be offered psychiatric and case
management support from the Specialist Aboriginal Mental Health Service—SAMHS.
In addition, he has been offered legal advice about compensation.
(6) The North
Metropolitan Health Service has sought advice from the State Solicitor's
Office regarding the matter of compensation for Mr Dimer. An application for an
administration or guardianship order is to be heard by the State Administrative
Tribunal on 24 June 2013. The State Solicitor's Office will provide
advice following the SAT hearing.
(7) The
decision regarding compensation will be made by me once I have had an
opportunity to review the SSO advice, and only after the outcome of the SAT hearing
on 24 June 2013.
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