A member of parliament raises concerns about suicides potentially linked to early discharge from Fremantle Hospital's Alma Street clinic and requests information and a coronial investigation. The Premier acknowledges the seriousness but defers responsibility, suggesting it falls under the mental health portfolio and promising to look into it.

AnsweredQoN 777Legislative Assembly
Asked
9 November 2011
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

ALMA STREET CENTRE — DISCHARGED PATIENT SUICIDES
I refer to the tragic and unnecessary deaths of three people who were either turned away or discharged early from Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic. I refer also to the public demand for answers from the relatives of some of these people. (1) Will the government provide information on suicides that have been associated with early discharge from Fremantle Hospital in the past year, including the suicide at a nearby school of a person who was turned away? (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street clinic? Mr C.J. BARNETT

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) That is obviously a very sad situation. I do not know the full details. It is not in my direct portfolio responsibilities. I would think it relates more directly to the mental health portfolio than any other. I am prepared to look at that issue, but I am not in a position to give an answer without any prior advice.
(1) Will the government provide information on suicides that have been associated with early discharge from Fremantle Hospital in the past year, including the suicide at a nearby school of a person who was turned away? (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street clinic? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) That is obviously a very sad situation. I do not know the full details. It is not in my direct portfolio responsibilities. I would think it relates more directly to the mental health portfolio than any other. I am prepared to look at that issue, but I am not in a position to give an answer without any prior advice.
(2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients at the hospital’s Alma Street clinic? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) That is obviously a very sad situation. I do not know the full details. It is not in my direct portfolio responsibilities. I would think it relates more directly to the mental health portfolio than any other. I am prepared to look at that issue, but I am not in a position to give an answer without any prior advice.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) That is obviously a very sad situation. I do not know the full details. It is not in my direct portfolio responsibilities. I would think it relates more directly to the mental health portfolio than any other. I am prepared to look at that issue, but I am not in a position to give an answer without any prior advice.
(1)–(2) That is obviously a very sad situation. I do not know the full details. It is not in my direct portfolio responsibilities. I would think it relates more directly to the mental health portfolio than any other. I am prepared to look at that issue, but I am not in a position to give an answer without any prior advice.

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