Hon Helen Morton's QoN 5520 reveals significant vacancies in WA's public mental health system: 137 FTE mental health nurse positions and 33 FTE psychiatrist/medical staff positions. The government outlines recruitment strategies to address these shortages.

AnsweredQoN 5520Legislative Council
Asked
20 September 2007
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(2) At which inpatient facilities do these vacancies exist?
(3) At which community based facilities do these vacancies exist?
(4) How many vacancies exist for psychiatrists and other medical staff in dedicated mental health services?
(5) At which inpatient and which community based facilities do these vacancies exist?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
23 October 2007
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Health
Response time
33 days
(1)
There are 1,209 FTE filled mental health nurse positions in the public mental health system and 137 FTE vacancies.
There are 250 FTE filled positions for psychiatrists and other medical staff in the public mental health system number and 33 FTE vacancies.
Recruitment action occurs in response to vacant positions and in the planning of new and expanded mental health facilities. In the context of a national and international shortage of health practitioners, this Government has implemented a number of mental health nurse workforce strategies. These include promoting mental health to secondary and tertiary students, training courses for professional re-entering the workforce, flexible work arrangements, scholarships and the development of new service models to support the existing mental health workforce and recruitment locally and internationally. A recent development is the 2007 workforce recruitment initiative in the United Kingdom delivered more than 93 interviews and 73 appointments to positions. A further recruitment drive for mental health professionals and allied staff in the United Kingdom is planned for February 2008.
(2-3) See attached document
[tabled paper ________].
(4) See response to part (1)
(5) See attached document
[tabled paper ________].
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