Page 3187 - Week 07 - Thursday, 30 June 2011

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Answers to questions

Health—electroconvulsive therapy
(Question No 1585—revised answer)

Ms Bresnan asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 9 March 2011:

(1) What is the evidence that the ACT Government draws on to support the use of electroconvulsive therapy on some consumers, given that clause 3 of the Draft Charter of Rights for Mental Health Consumers states that consumers have the right to evidence based health care at all stages of their illness.

(2) How many people have received electroconvulsive therapy under a electroconvulsive therapy order, pursuant to section 55E of the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act 1994, in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010 and (f) 2011 to date.

(3) On how many occasions has electroconvulsive therapy, under an electroconvulsive therapy order, been conducted in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010 and (f) 2011 to date.

(4) How many people have received electroconvulsive therapy, that was given with the consumers consent and not because of an electroconvulsive therapy order, in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010 and (f) 2011 to date.

(5) On how many occasions has electroconvulsive therapy been conducted, that was given with the consumers consent and not because of an electroconvulsive therapy order in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010 and (f) 2011 to date.

(6) How many consumers received electroconvulsive therapy on 10 or more occasions (a) under and (b) not under an electroconvulsive therapy order for the period covering 2006 to date.

(7) What is the most number of occasions that any singular person has received electroconvulsive therapy between 2006 to date.

Ms Gallagher: I am advised that the answer to the Member’s question is as follows:

(1) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) was introduced into psychiatric practice in 1934. It was initially hailed as a treatment for Schizophrenia, and quickly recognised as an effective treatment for the affective disorders. The use of ECT is supported by the American Psychiatric Association for Major depression, Mania and Schizophrenia and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists gives similar support. ECT has been extensively researched and its effectiveness has been supported by reviews and meta analyses covering the last 20 years.

(2) The number of people who received eletroconvulsive therapy under a electroconvulsive therapy order, pursuant to section 55E of the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act 1994 are:

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