❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond asks about mental health assessments for incoming prisoners and their right to refuse medication. The Minister for Corrective Services provides information on the assessment process and the procedures for involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act 2014.
AnsweredQoN 187Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PRISONERS —
MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
187. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the Western Australian
government's adult prisons and youth detention centres.
(1) How are incoming prisoners
assessed for mental health conditions?
(2) Are prisoners
who are prescribed antipsychotic medication for psychotic mental health
disorders and other serious mental health conditions allowed to refuse to take
their prescribed medication?
MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
187. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the Western Australian
government's adult prisons and youth detention centres.
(1) How are incoming prisoners
assessed for mental health conditions?
(2) Are prisoners
who are prescribed antipsychotic medication for psychotic mental health
disorders and other serious mental health conditions allowed to refuse to take
their prescribed medication?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Corrective Services.
The Department of Justice advises —
(1) Incoming
prisoners are assessed by nursing staff on reception into custody, according to
the Department of Justice's standard procedure. This provides prisoners
the opportunity to discuss whether they are on any medication and are suffering
from any mental health conditions. Observational factors and behaviours
exhibited are also considered. All comments are thoroughly reported in each
patient's medical notes and delegated to the appropriate clinicians.
(2) Prisoners
reserve the right to refuse to take prescribed medication. If this occurs, a Form
IA—Referral for Examination by Psychiatrist, or Form IA, may be
completed under the Mental Health Act 2014. This enables the patient to be
treated involuntarily, and the prisoner may be placed in an authorised
hospital. Medications can be issued involuntarily only at an authorised
hospital.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Corrective Services.
The Department of Justice advises —
(1) Incoming
prisoners are assessed by nursing staff on reception into custody, according to
the Department of Justice's standard procedure. This provides prisoners
the opportunity to discuss whether they are on any medication and are suffering
from any mental health conditions. Observational factors and behaviours
exhibited are also considered. All comments are thoroughly reported in each
patient's medical notes and delegated to the appropriate clinicians.
(2) Prisoners
reserve the right to refuse to take prescribed medication. If this occurs, a Form
IA—Referral for Examination by Psychiatrist, or Form IA, may be
completed under the Mental Health Act 2014. This enables the patient to be
treated involuntarily, and the prisoner may be placed in an authorised
hospital. Medications can be issued involuntarily only at an authorised
hospital.
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