❓ Opposition questions the Premier regarding suicides of patients discharged from Alma Street Centre, seeking a coronial investigation instead of an internal review. The Premier outlines actions taken, including reviews and investment in suicide prevention.
AnsweredQoN 791Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ALMA STREET CENTRE — DISCHARGED PATIENT SUICIDES
I refer to the Premier’s answer yesterday when asked about suicides of people discharged or turned away from the Alma Street Centre. The Premier said that he did not know the full details and that he was not in a position to give any answers without prior advice. (1) Is the Minister for Mental Health correct when she said in the other place yesterday words to the effect — ... that information has all been passed on to the Premier ... the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect ... This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Vasse care about this issue? Let me ask my question. (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the Premier’s answer yesterday when asked about suicides of people discharged or turned away from the Alma Street Centre. The Premier said that he did not know the full details and that he was not in a position to give any answers without prior advice. (1) Is the Minister for Mental Health correct when she said in the other place yesterday words to the effect — ... that information has all been passed on to the Premier ... the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect ... This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Vasse care about this issue? Let me ask my question. (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
(1) Is the Minister for Mental Health correct when she said in the other place yesterday words to the effect — ... that information has all been passed on to the Premier ... the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect ... This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Vasse care about this issue? Let me ask my question. (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Vasse care about this issue? Let me ask my question. (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
(2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
(1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective.
The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective.
I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
(1) Is the Minister for Mental Health correct when she said in the other place yesterday words to the effect — ... that information has all been passed on to the Premier ... the Premier is fully informed of everything I am doing in this respect ... This information has been fully provided to the Premier. He is very aware of this information. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Vasse care about this issue? Let me ask my question. (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Vasse care about this issue? Let me ask my question. (2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
(2) Will the government now commit to a full coronial investigation into the admission, treatment and discharge of patients specifically at Fremantle Hospital’s Alma Street clinic instead of the internal departmental review now proposed by the minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
(1)–(2) As I remarked yesterday, this is a tragic set of circumstances in which three patients have suicided following being released from that clinic. There are also another couple of cases of behaviour and serious consequences for two other patients. The Minister for Mental Health is dealing with this situation. I can report that, having checked this since yesterday, she has met with the Director General of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commissioner and all executive directors working in that area, including the Chief Psychiatrist, to discuss both admission and discharge processes at the Alma Street clinic and other mental health services. When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective. Mr E.S. Ripper : You promised to spend it in the first two years and you haven’t. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
When a mental health patient dies in circumstances such as this, a number of processes are set in place; that has happened in this case. The State Coroner investigates every unexplained death in the state and I expect that will apply in some of these cases. Any other incidents are reported to the Chief Psychiatrist, who can take action. The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective.
The Minister for Mental Health, Hon Helen Morton, has directed that two separate reviews be conducted simultaneously. First, the Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson, will review the clinical decisions made around the admissions and discharges at Fremantle Hospital over the past 12 months in circumstances in which people have died subsequent to their discharge. Second, an independent person will be appointed shortly to undertake a comprehensive review of the admission and discharge practices and mental health services across all of Western Australia and to look at what improvements can be made. I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective.
I remind the house that this state government has committed $13 million to a suicide prevention strategy and I hope that money will prove to be well spent and effective.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know whether what the Leader of the Opposition says is true; I know of a number of programs that are underway. Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
Depression, mental health and psychosis are serious issues in our community. It has probably been only over recent years that the public health system has directed its attention, as it should, to that area. I hope members opposite recognise that this state government not only has a Minister for Mental Health, but is also the first government in Australia to set up a Mental Health Commission with its own budget and a capacity to deal directly with problems in mental health, which are many and varied and complex. I believe that in this case, tragic as the circumstances are, the appropriate processes are in order.
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