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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 889 asked in the Legislative Council on 29 November 2017 by Hon Martin Aldridge

Parliament: 40 Session: 1


GERALDTON SOBERING UP CENTRE
      889. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the imminent closure of the Geraldton Sobering Up Centre resulting from the Mental Health Commission's decision to cease funding on 31 December 2017.
      (1) Was the minister consulted by the Mental Health Commission on its decision to cease funding prior to making the decision?
      (2) Was the minister or the WA Country Health Service consulted by the Mental Health Commission on the impact of this decision on local health service delivery?
      (3) Does the minister have concerns about the impact of this decision on health services in the midwest?
      (4) I refer to the alternative services identified by the parliamentary secretary in answer to question without notice 842 and ask if any of these services will admit clients under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol?
Hon ALANNA CLOHESY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I am advised that —
      (1) The government's decision was based on options requested from and presented by the Mental Health Commission to the minister.
      (2) The Mental Health Commission did not consult with the WA Country Health Service as the decision to cease funding by the state government was part of the 2017–18 budget process and was prompted by the need to identify budget savings that will contribute in part to the funding of election commitments. The decision to cease funding the service was based on the attendance at the Geraldton Sobering Up Centre being low over the duration of the service agreement, with the number of admissions failing to meet the contracted annual target.
      (3) The Mental Health Commission will closely monitor any impact of the closure in Geraldton on the WA Country Health Service and other services.
      (4) Clients of the Geraldton Sobering Up Centre will have the option of seeking detoxification locally. The Department of Health issued a statewide alcohol and other drug withdrawal management policy on 10 August 2017. The policy aims to ensure that those requiring AOD withdrawal treatment will have access to locally provided withdrawal services including discharge planning, which may include referral to appropriate local rehabilitation services, at Hope Springs Community Farm at Walkaway.