Page 2556 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 15 November 1989
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than other States on mental health? What has the Government done in its six months to improve services? What will be done in the future to further improve these vital services?
MR BERRY: The appropriate level of funds for any population will depend on factors such as age distribution of the population and the prevalence of mental illness and disorder, and this is taken into account in forming a view about expenditure on mental health matters. Having said that, I agree that it is true that the per capita expenditure on mental health services in the ACT appears to be lower than in other States, with the exception of Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Government has provided $150,000 in 1989-90 to improve after-hours services at Woden Valley Hospital for the acutely ill and disturbed. Additionally, $270,000 has been provided to adult corrective services to improve the care of mentally ill offenders at Belconnen Remand Centre. Of course, those matters were mentioned in the budget.
I have previously mentioned that improvement in mental health legislation is a high priority for this Government. The Mental Health Advisory Committee has recently been established, and members may recall my announcement in that respect. In the first instance I will be seeking its advice on priorities for service development in line with the general thrust of the Government's commitment to open and consultative government.
Hospitals
MR HUMPHRIES: My question is directed to the Minister for Community Services and Health, and I refer to the Government's plans to restructure the ACT public hospital system. The Minister has said already that the plan is dependent on the Commonwealth's providing some $150m to fund the bulk of the capital costs involved in creating one principal hospital at Woden Valley Hospital. I also note that the Federal Government, as last advised, has not made any indication of its intention to fund any or all of that $150m, and I ask whether there has been any change in that position since last advised. If the Chief Minister met today with the Prime Minister, was this issue discussed? If so, can the Minister advise the Assembly of any progress on obtaining that $150m?
MR BERRY: The first thing I would like to make clear is that I do not think the restructuring of the hospital system is dependent upon the $150m which has been requested from the Commonwealth by the ACT Government. Of course, the ACT Government inherited a run-down ACT health system from the Commonwealth. It requires an immediate response in order to ensure first-class quality hospital services for the citizens of Canberra and surrounding areas, both now and in the future.
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