Page 3433 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 14 November 2006
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particular the matters raised by Dr Foskey on recognising the issues for carers of people with a mental illness. This is an issue that I have had detailed discussions with Carers ACT about, and I recognise and am very conscious of their concerns in this area. As a former health minister, I am all too aware of the issues when people descend into illness, when they are suffering from mental illness and how carers often are the first people to recognise the warning signs and want to take a more proactive and interventionist role to prevent a more serious deterioration for the person they are caring for.
As Dr Foskey rightly recognises, there is a broad range of issues on health privacy that make this issue particularly complex. But, as I have indicated to Carers ACT and as I can indicate to members today, I believe the way forward on this matter is through our review of the Mental Health Care (Treatment and Care) Act which is currently under way between the justice and community safety department and the health department. That joint review is looking at a range of issues. In particular, the prospect of advanced treatment directives is one that I believe offers some hope to address this issue.
Without wanting to pre-empt what may become the results of that review, the option that needs to be explored through the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act is the provision of a mechanism whereby someone with a mental illness who, whilst they are well, is able to agree to a treatment plan, and, if they were to become unwell again, could, as part of that, provide a clear role for their carers to come in and intervene on their behalf, to be a party to consultations or discussions with doctors or other health professionals as they become unwell, if and when they become unwell. The notion of advanced medical directives provides us with a real opportunity to take that more proactive approach and involve the carer more directly in a way which involves informed consent on the part of the person who suffers from a mental illness.
That is the option that I am very keen to see explored further. I know that is a matter the department of health and particularly Mental Health ACT have a strong interest in. I hope that the work through the review of the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act provides for that opportunity.
With that, I thank members for their support. I give my assurance that these issues that Dr Foskey and Mrs Burke have raised are continuing to receive attention. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Sitting suspended from 12.27 to 2.30 pm.
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