Page 92 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 May 1989
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We have made a commitment to review the Mental Health Ordinance and I will begin this process as soon as possible. The review will include wide community consultation. We know that the families of individuals who have mental illnesses and the individuals themselves need support, counselling and rehabilitation services. We will work to improve these services.
We are considering the issues raised by the Mental Health Advisory Committee. These include a day unit to provide for health and education requirements for emotionally and behaviourally disturbed young people. The ACT Schools Authority and the Community and Health Service have already begun discussion on this issue. Respite care and a 24-hour crisis centre are also being examined and discussed.
We want to respond to and be guided by the needs of the people of the ACT so that they can determine their own health needs and priorities. To do this we will review the wide range of consultative committees already established to ensure they provide real opportunities for people to participate in policy making.
In other parts of Australia the rights of health consumers are being legislated for. We will introduce measures to assure patients' rights. The health services complaints units will be strengthened. People can voice their grievances, and we intend to respond and prevent further problems.
Every group in the community has different needs. Women in particular are the greater users of our health care system. The ACT already has a women's health service, which we plan to expand over time to meet the particular needs of women. This service will have an important education and primary health care role.
We want to make sure that the special needs of the people who come from non-English speaking backgrounds are met. This is done at present by the Migrant Health Unit. We will progressively expand its services. We will do this in consultation with peak community organisations. We want to do more than just provide interpreters. We want to make sure that our staff are sensitive to cultural issues and that people of non-English speaking background are aware of our services.
In line with our concern for proper education programs, so that people can make their own decisions about their own health, we are keen to maintain our involvement with the national health for all program. The Federal Government has committed $100,000 to the ACT this year on a cost share basis. This will enable us to support health for all initiatives, and I will announce details of these soon. The focus on the national health program is on equality in health.
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