❓ Hon. Linda Savage questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding the Chief Psychiatrist's role and location under the draft Mental Health Bill 2011, specifically concerning oversight of area health services and reporting lines. The Minister defends the decision to base the Chief Psychiatrist within the Mental Health Commission.
AnsweredQoN 172Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DRAFT MENTAL HEALTH BILL 2011 —
CHIEF PSYCHIATRIST
172. Hon LINDA
SAVAGE to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the draft mental health
bill 2011 in which it is proposed that the appointment of the Chief
Psychiatrist be made by the Minister for Mental Health on the recommendation of
the CEO of the Mental Health Commission and that the Chief Psychiatrist be
based in the Mental Health Commission rather than in the Department of Health.
(1) How can the
Chief Psychiatrist exercise his responsibilities related to area health
services when he is effectively based in an agency outside the Department of
Health?
(2) To which
minister will the Chief Psychiatrist report?
CHIEF PSYCHIATRIST
172. Hon LINDA
SAVAGE to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the draft mental health
bill 2011 in which it is proposed that the appointment of the Chief
Psychiatrist be made by the Minister for Mental Health on the recommendation of
the CEO of the Mental Health Commission and that the Chief Psychiatrist be
based in the Mental Health Commission rather than in the Department of Health.
(1) How can the
Chief Psychiatrist exercise his responsibilities related to area health
services when he is effectively based in an agency outside the Department of
Health?
(2) To which
minister will the Chief Psychiatrist report?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member very much.
Hon
Norman Moore interjected.
It is very difficult to answer very shortly, because the questions are
quite considered. Let me answer the question in this way.
(1)–(2) The Chief Psychiatrist has a
responsibility across the entire mental health system. The Department of Health
is but one provider; there are a variety of other providers that the Chief
Psychiatrist needs to have jurisdiction across. The place to have that Chief
Psychiatrist exercising those responsibilities is within the Mental Health
Commission. Members will find that over the years the Department of Health is
providing a lesser proportion of services and there will be other organisations
such as the non-government organisations at the moment. Ramsay Health Care
provides all the mental health services in Joondalup and St John of God will
provide all the mental health services at the new Midland health campus. The
Chief Psychiatrist is not in the right position to be inside one of those
organisations. The Chief Psychiatrist needs to be at the Mental Health
Commission so the Chief Psychiatrist has a role across all organisations.
Hon
Norman Moore interjected.
It is very difficult to answer very shortly, because the questions are
quite considered. Let me answer the question in this way.
(1)–(2) The Chief Psychiatrist has a
responsibility across the entire mental health system. The Department of Health
is but one provider; there are a variety of other providers that the Chief
Psychiatrist needs to have jurisdiction across. The place to have that Chief
Psychiatrist exercising those responsibilities is within the Mental Health
Commission. Members will find that over the years the Department of Health is
providing a lesser proportion of services and there will be other organisations
such as the non-government organisations at the moment. Ramsay Health Care
provides all the mental health services in Joondalup and St John of God will
provide all the mental health services at the new Midland health campus. The
Chief Psychiatrist is not in the right position to be inside one of those
organisations. The Chief Psychiatrist needs to be at the Mental Health
Commission so the Chief Psychiatrist has a role across all organisations.
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