❓ Opposition MP questions the government about a $4.7 million budget cut to the Mental Health Commission, inquiring about the impact on staffing and services. The Minister responds that savings were achieved without impacting activity levels or staffing, primarily through reassessing discretionary spending.
AnsweredQoN 606Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL
HEALTH COMMISSION — BUDGET
606. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the Barnett Liberal
government's $4.7 million cut to the Mental Health Commission's
budget for the 2014–15 financial year.
(1) How has the $4.7 million been
saved?
(2) Will any staffing positions be
lost as a result of the savings measures?
(3) If yes to
(2), how many positions will be lost, where are the positions located, and what
is the title of each position?
(4) What program or services will be
cut as a result of the $4.7 million cut to the budget?
(5) Will any
of the cuts be allocated to ''specialised admitted patient services''?
HEALTH COMMISSION — BUDGET
606. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the Barnett Liberal
government's $4.7 million cut to the Mental Health Commission's
budget for the 2014–15 financial year.
(1) How has the $4.7 million been
saved?
(2) Will any staffing positions be
lost as a result of the savings measures?
(3) If yes to
(2), how many positions will be lost, where are the positions located, and what
is the title of each position?
(4) What program or services will be
cut as a result of the $4.7 million cut to the budget?
(5) Will any
of the cuts be allocated to ''specialised admitted patient services''?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question, which was
submitted on 13 May.
(1) The $4.7 million
savings have been applied to the costs of mental health and alcohol and other
drug activities, with the levels of activity not impacted.
(2) Amounts
applied to the WA Health service agreement are negotiated with area health
services and the Department of Health as system manager. The department is
meeting its service obligations, including the purchased level of activity,
under the service agreement within the revised allocation. The efficiency
dividend applicable to mental health is handled as part of the department's
total efficiency savings. No staffing positions will be lost as a result of the
savings measure to other mental health activity and alcohol and drug activity.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) No specific
program or service has been cut. Savings will be achieved through the
reassessment of one‑off discretionary expenditures.
(5) WA Health as system manager
manages the savings.
submitted on 13 May.
(1) The $4.7 million
savings have been applied to the costs of mental health and alcohol and other
drug activities, with the levels of activity not impacted.
(2) Amounts
applied to the WA Health service agreement are negotiated with area health
services and the Department of Health as system manager. The department is
meeting its service obligations, including the purchased level of activity,
under the service agreement within the revised allocation. The efficiency
dividend applicable to mental health is handled as part of the department's
total efficiency savings. No staffing positions will be lost as a result of the
savings measure to other mental health activity and alcohol and drug activity.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) No specific
program or service has been cut. Savings will be achieved through the
reassessment of one‑off discretionary expenditures.
(5) WA Health as system manager
manages the savings.
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