Page 2690 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 10 August 2016
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I close today by taking this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work undertaken by the staff of ACT Health and health-related non-government organisations as well as those many volunteers and carers who support the health system across the ACT and region. These committed individuals provide a professional and modern health service with compassion and integrity, and their efforts should be applauded. I commend the health budget to the Assembly.
MRS JONES (Molonglo) (8.25): As the shadow minister for mental health I am pleased to stand and speak about the importance of this health area. Mental health and the wellbeing of people is an incredibly important area of our health system, so much so that I believe it is important to have this dedicated portfolio for mental health. The research shows that one in five people experience mental health concerns in any given year. It is a significant proportion of our community. The term “mental health” encompasses such a broad range of ailments from depression and anxiety conditions all the way through to schizophrenia and bipolar and other severe conditions and through to the very acute end of psychotic episodes.
The treatment and care needed is incredibly broad, from counselling to psychologists, ongoing medication for some, and the need to stay for a time in one of our mental health facilities here in Canberra, for others. Irrespective of the care and treatment needed, patients need the help of a good GP and the support and care of family and friends. Those suffering mental concerns in whatever place on that spectrum need to be able to live within our community without discrimination or fear of judgement.
I would like to highlight a couple of the areas that I have concerns about with regard to mental health. Firstly—and I have spoken about it before in the chamber—the safety and wellbeing of nurses and other staff within the adult mental health unit is of concern to me. I have particular ongoing concerns in that area as we prepare to open the secure mental health facility that perhaps will continue to need some work. The men and women who work in this very specialised area of mental health must be able to work knowing that they will be safe and not be fearful of assault or abuse. In the same way, clients and patients in these facilities need to have confidence that they will not suffer assault or abuse from others in our facilities.
Given the challenges in recruiting and retaining specialist staff at the adult mental health unit I have ongoing concerns regarding the staffing for the secure mental health facility that we will open. With the secure mental health facility due to open in September this year it is an area I will be watching closely to ensure that nurses and staff are as safe as possible.
In June, when the government brought amendments to the Mental Health Act, I expressed my deep concern at the change of reporting time frames from “within 12 hours” to “as soon as possible” with regard to reporting on psychiatric treatment orders, community care orders and the statement of action if a patient is restrained where there has been involuntary seclusion or the need for medication to be given forcibly. I do remain concerned that the amendment to the time frame on the reporting to the Public Advocate and other such bodies could leave some patients vulnerable and that “as soon as possible” could mean that reports are not lodged for some time and that this would still fall within the “as soon as possible” if it could be justified. I do hope that the change will not leave vulnerable people even more vulnerable.
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