Page 4937 - Week 13 - Thursday, 28 November 2019
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St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School. St George Hospital is a tertiary referral hospital with more than 500 beds and a very high trauma load.
ACT Policing—mental health
Mr Gentleman (in reply to a question by Mrs Dunne on Tuesday, 26 November 2019):
Over the last five financial years, there has been a steady increase in the total amount of funding provided to ACT Policing to deliver policing services to the ACT, and the overall headcount. It is important to note that ACT Policing can only quantify trending statistics for mental fatigue and stress problems through the number of Comcare claims made that relate to psychological injury. Based on this information, it can be stated that over the past five financial years the number of Comcare psychological injury claims made by ACT Policing sworn members have remained relatively stable whilst funding and headcounts have increased.
Outside of this limited statistical comparison, it is difficult for ACT Policing to accurately determine a correlation between ACT Policing resourcing and the wellbeing of sworn officers.
ACT Policing has access to a broad range of AFP-led initiatives that focus on improving the health and wellbeing of members. The AFP’s Early Access program provides support to members with physical and psychological workplace related injury with a focus on early intervention treatment and support.
The Early Access Program is offered to all members who report an incident. The program aims to address injuries in their early stages to prevent their exacerbation and reduce the number of Comcare claims.
Additionally, there are three police officers performing the role as a Welfare Officer in ACT Policing. These Welfare Officers provide support to members for a range of matters, including critical incidents in addition to work-place and personal matters. The Welfare Officers also act as an initial support contact for the provision of further assistance.
Finally, ACT Policing has one (and has received funding to increase to two) dedicated psychologists to provide proactive and responsive support and services to ACT Policing members. This includes mental health training that assists members and supervisors in identifying members potentially suffering from a mental health injury and provides strategies for their care, including removing any stigma associated with mental health injuries.
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