❓ Sue Ellery raises concerns about Emma Lee Elder, inappropriately housed in a mental health facility despite lacking psychiatric illness, and questions the minister about steps to resolve the situation. The minister acknowledges the situation but states the Disability Services Commission deems Ms. Elder ineligible for their services, while offering support for transition to community accommodation.
AnsweredQoN 893Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
EMMA LEE ELDER — ALMA STREET CENTRE, FREMANTLE HOSPITAL
(1) Is the minister aware of the plight of Emma Lee Elder, who has been accommodated at the Alma Street Centre—the mental health wing of Fremantle Hospital—for more than 12 months, even though she has been assessed as having no psychiatric illness? (2) Is the minister aware that two experts in the field of autism have stated that they believe she falls within the autism spectrum disorder, apart from uncertainty about the age of onset? (3) As it is clear that Ms Elder’s continuing residence at the Alma Street Centre can only be deleterious to her health and wellbeing, can the minister inform the house what steps are being taken to resolve this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
(1) Is the minister aware of the plight of Emma Lee Elder, who has been accommodated at the Alma Street Centre—the mental health wing of Fremantle Hospital—for more than 12 months, even though she has been assessed as having no psychiatric illness? (2) Is the minister aware that two experts in the field of autism have stated that they believe she falls within the autism spectrum disorder, apart from uncertainty about the age of onset? (3) As it is clear that Ms Elder’s continuing residence at the Alma Street Centre can only be deleterious to her health and wellbeing, can the minister inform the house what steps are being taken to resolve this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(2) Is the minister aware that two experts in the field of autism have stated that they believe she falls within the autism spectrum disorder, apart from uncertainty about the age of onset? (3) As it is clear that Ms Elder’s continuing residence at the Alma Street Centre can only be deleterious to her health and wellbeing, can the minister inform the house what steps are being taken to resolve this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(3) As it is clear that Ms Elder’s continuing residence at the Alma Street Centre can only be deleterious to her health and wellbeing, can the minister inform the house what steps are being taken to resolve this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(2) Is the minister aware that two experts in the field of autism have stated that they believe she falls within the autism spectrum disorder, apart from uncertainty about the age of onset? (3) As it is clear that Ms Elder’s continuing residence at the Alma Street Centre can only be deleterious to her health and wellbeing, can the minister inform the house what steps are being taken to resolve this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(3) As it is clear that Ms Elder’s continuing residence at the Alma Street Centre can only be deleterious to her health and wellbeing, can the minister inform the house what steps are being taken to resolve this matter? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(1) Yes. (2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(2) Yes, however based on all evidence that has been provided to the Disability Services Commission, including reports of assessments conducted over the past 20 years, it is clear in the view of the Disability Services Commission that a diagnosis of autism cannot be sustained. Therefore, Ms Elder is not eligible for services from the Disability Services Commission. (3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
(3) On Tuesday 15 September 2009, the Director General of the Disability Services Commission met with staff from the Alma Street Centre, service officers from mental health services, the Deputy Public Advocate and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss Ms Elder’s situation. The Director General of the Disability Services Commission offered to provide information and consultancy support to assist mental health services to transition Ms Elder to more appropriate accommodation in the community.
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