Page 1734 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 18 August 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Woden Valley Hospital - Electroconvulsive Therapy
MR LAMONT: My question is to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Health. Could the Minister please advise the Assembly what steps ACT Health has taken following the reported electroconvulsive therapy incident at Woden Valley Hospital?
MR BERRY: Thank you, Mr Lamont, for the question. This matter has been investigated fully, Madam Speaker. I would like to point out to members some of the steps that have been taken. This matter was first raised with the Community Advocate and, as soon as there was a request for information from my office, that information was released under the Health Services Act in order that the matter could be fully investigated by the Community Advocate. The Board of Health immediately met and established its own independent committee. That independent committee was subsequently appointed as an approved committee by me - - -
Mr Humphries: Madam Speaker, I raise a point of order. I understand that only today some charges were laid against certain persons alleged to be involved in this matter. I wonder whether you should ask the Minister whether the matters he is traversing are sub judice and the raising of them might therefore constitute a contempt of court in some way, or, certainly, whether they are matters that should not be traversed by a Minister at this time.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I believe that Mr Berry is well aware of those issues.
MR BERRY: That might be something that you might do, but it is not something that we would do. The Director of Public Prosecutions was notified at an early time of possible non-compliance with the Mental Health Act. Since then, some administrative arrangements have been made to reinforce an understanding amongst staff of the requirements of the Mental Health Act.
It is important from the Government's point of view to make clear to the community that we have been able to act with urgency and openly to examine an issue of such importance to the community. We acted swiftly to review the situation so that staff could have a better understanding of the Mental Health Act as a result of improved processes and so on. Everyone concerned with this issue acted responsibly and immediately, once the facts were clear. I do not think there is any question in anybody's mind about the quality of the staff. They are all highly trained and experienced staff. I have every confidence that the management and staff of Mental Health Services will continue to provide first-class service. Of course, I look forward to building on the changes arising from the incident.
I also would like to raise, Madam Speaker, the issue of the establishment of the independent complaints unit. I think this incident gives rise to an opportunity to further discuss that issue. It reaffirms, in my view, the importance of our commitment to establish an independent complaints unit. A discussion paper will be issued shortly in relation to that matter.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .