Page 4015 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 22 October 1991
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first priority is now directed to an acute psychiatric disturbance, requiring assistance outside the hospital; with the second priority going to a person presenting at the hospital's emergency department with a psychiatric illness.
A six-month evaluation of the crisis team commenced in April, and a final report will be available in November. Between April and June the team was contacted by 458 clients on 995 occasions. The majority, 54 per cent, were telephone contacts; 35 per cent presented at the hospital emergency department; and 11 per cent involved domiciliary visits.
Because of the nature of crisis work, the team is currently addressing operational issues, looking at different approaches to urgent and non-urgent work. As the cost of a night shift contact is around $88, compared with an evening shift call of $33, the viability of maintaining on-duty staff on the night shift is being assessed. Other States provide night shift services on an on-call basis. I am looking forward to the final evaluation report on the crisis team.
Rehabilitation services are becoming increasingly important in the ACT. A review of the new activities club was recently carried out, following the anti-social behaviour of some of its clients which resulted in its temporary closure. I have to express regrets, Mr Speaker, at this point because of the hype that was created by Mr Humphries in relation to this matter, without really studying the difficulties which had confronted that issue. I do not think that did him any credit. Nevertheless, it focused some attention on it. I am very happy that the review resulted in positive outcomes. I am pleased that the centre was able to reopen on 1 October at the same site.
Mr Humphries: Through Opposition pressure.
MR BERRY: Mr Humphries says, "Through Opposition pressure". I have to say that Opposition pressure did not have much to do with it.
Mr Humphries: It had a lot to do with it, Wayne, didn't it?
MR BERRY: It did not have much to do with it at all. The review, which included consultation with club members - the Opposition was not there - non-government mental health staff organisations - the Opposition was not there - mental health staff - the Opposition was not there - and tenants of the building - the Opposition was not there, resulted in a change to some practices. So, where was the Opposition? According to Mr Humphries, they were lurking around somewhere. They were nowhere to be seen when the hard graft was to be done, because that is what was required in setting the new profile for this establishment.
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