Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding the placement and use of CCTV in mental health units, specifically addressing patient confidentiality and privacy concerns. The Minister provides some information but requires more time to answer the question about recording.

AnsweredQoN 169Legislative Council
Asked
13 June 2013
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

MENTAL HEALTH —
INPATIENT SECURITY
169. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the minister's advice to the house on 23 May
2013 that all mental health patient units have closed-circuit televisions
located in areas that do not breach patient confidentiality and/or privacy.
(1) Which areas
in mental health units satisfy the criteria of not breaching patient
confidentiality and/or privacy?
(2) In which areas is CCTV not installed for reasons of
confidentiality and/or privacy?
(3) In areas
where CCTV is installed, are the cameras used to only monitor activity in a
location or is the material recorded for later viewing?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) CCTV
located in public areas—that is, waiting areas, sitting rooms,
recreational areas, courtyards and corridors—would not breach patient
confidentiality or privacy. For safety reasons, it is also installed in
seclusion rooms.
(2) CCTV is
not installed in bedrooms, toileting and bathroom facilities, and treatment
rooms.
(3) The
information requested cannot be provided in the time required. I will endeavour
to have the answer for the honourable member by 18 June 2013.

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