Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (23 September) . . Page.. 3144 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

Both Centacare and Richmond Fellowship have developed cooperative working relationships with the ACT Mental Health Service that are supported by memoranda of understanding. These agreements make clear that the ACT Mental Health Service will provide the clinical support that is required as an integral part of the residential support. This financial year we have allocated a further $250,000 for community-based residential support. These funds will be used to again increase the number of available places and residential options for people with mental illness. The sound working relationships that Centacare and Richmond Fellowship have developed with the ACT Mental Health Service will act as a model to guide this further allocation. Calvary Hospital plans to open a private psychiatric facility in January 1998. This will provide a range of acute and medium-term services, including residential, day program and outpatient services, and enhance the choices that are open to people when they need these types of services.

On 26 March, I launched for public comment an issues paper on the review of the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act 1994. The consultation period ran until 26 May. Two public meetings were held on 22 April, with over 100 people attending, and a total of 48 written submissions were received. The report on the review of the Mental Health Act is close to completion. The report will be publicly released shortly, with distribution to stakeholders, including those who attended public meetings and those who made written or oral submissions.

The Government is considering its position on the review recommendations. The Interdepartmental Standing Committee on Mental Health has met three times since I last addressed the Assembly. In addition to the extensive work they have done on the legislative review, two subcommittees have been formed and have met twice since my last statement. The subcommittees are examining models of secure care as they relate to the needs of the ACT and reviewing the memorandum of understanding between the Australian Federal Police and the Mental Health Service. Changes to the memorandum of understanding will be guided by the coroner's findings in relation to the death of Mr Warren I'Anson. A memorandum of understanding has also been developed between ACT Housing and the ACT Mental Health Service. The memorandum is proving to be very useful in furthering a cooperative working relationship between these two agencies. This can only be to the benefit of our consumers.

A weekly meeting to review detainee status has been implemented at the Belconnen Remand Centre. The participants include the superintendent of the BRC, the chief custodial officer, a representative of the forensic unit of the Mental Health Service, the general practitioner for the BRC, the psychiatric nurse employed at the BRC and the BRC welfare officer. Meetings with the Office of the Community Advocate since September 1996 have also resulted in a closer working relationship with ACT Corrective Services. From October 1996, an officer from the Office of the Community Advocate has visited the Remand Centre on a weekly basis and spoken with any new detainees who are identified as being mentally ill. A protocol has been developed which ensures that the Office of the Community Advocate will know about detainees who have mental dysfunction or about whom custodial officers have concerns.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .