Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding the closure of beds at the Albany mental health inpatient unit, staffing shortages, and weekend service availability. The Minister provides answers regarding recruitment efforts and service provisions.

AnsweredQoN 603Legislative Council
Asked
17 June 2014
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

MENTAL
HEALTH INPATIENT UNIT, ALBANY — OCCUPANCY RATES
603. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the minister's answer to question without
notice 466 on 6 May 2014.
(1) Can the
minister advise why four of the 16 beds at the Albany mental health inpatient
unit are closed?
(2) When will the four beds be opened?
(3) What
specialist services are available for people admitted to the inpatient unit on
Saturdays and Sundays?
(4) Do these services include reviews by a psychiatrist?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) Four secure
beds within the inpatient mental health unit at Albany Health Campus are
currently closed due to difficulties in recruiting suitably qualified mental
health staff.
(2) The four
secure mental health beds will be opened once suitably qualified staff members
are recruited. Advertising is currently underway.
(3) The Albany
mental health inpatient unit is staffed by qualified mental health nurses seven
days a week, and mental health medical staff are rostered on the ward on
Saturday from 8.30 am to 12 noon. Additional services include that of a mental
health liaison nurse from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm and an on-call psychiatrist
service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(4) Yes, these services include
reviews by a psychiatrist.

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