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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 4214 ..

Programs will include acute psychiatric care, rehabilitation, chemical dependence, post trauma stress disorder, post natal depression, specialised programs and day hospital services.

It will give people needing psychiatric care additional choice and will help ease the pressure on public facilities at both Calvary and The Canberra Hospitals.

The Government will immediately examine bringing the 20 public psychiatric beds at Calvary Hospital under the auspices of the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act 1994.

These beds are not currently `gazetted' under the legislation, which has meant that the Mental Health Tribunal and the courts have not been able to refer people with mental health problems to Calvary Hospital for assessment and possible treatment.

This has seen The Canberra Hospital assuming responsibility for patients with a higher degree of acuity.

The Government, in consultation with Calvary Hospital management, has commissioned an independent review this month, to assess the impact of the proposal and any changes that may be required to enable gazettal of this facility under the Act.

The Department of Health and Community Care will also undertake an investigation into the viability of establishing a secure, dedicated facility for people with a mental dysfunction who require involuntary accommodation.

In the short term the Government has approached the NSW Government with a view to gaining increased access to facilities in that State.

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