CHILDREN IN CARE — MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS
212. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the provision of medical
assessments to children in care.
(1) How many requests for medical
assessments were denied in 2019?
(2) Who is responsible for
assessing a request for a medical assessment?
(3) Noting the Foster Care Refresh
project —
(a) is the final report still
scheduled to be released in June; and
(b) will the minister table the
report prior to the parliamentary winter recess?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Information
regarding medical assessments, including requests and decisions, are held on a child's
individual case file. It would take significant effort and resources to collate
this information. Department of Communities district directors, assistant
district directors and team leaders have delegated authority to assess a request
for a medical assessment. Depending on the complexity of the medical
assessments, consultations may occur with internal and external specialist staff.
Decisions about medical assessments for children in care are made in the best
interests of the child. The rationale for not proceeding with an assessment may
be due to a range of factors, including, but not limited to, the nature of the
assessment being requested, the recency of other assessments and whether the
assessment will add value to understanding the child's presentation.
The Department of Communities is committed to processing any requests for
medical assessments within 30 days, with a decision communicated back to carers
about the rationale for the decision. The Foster Care Refresh project report is
still due to be finalised midyear and will be tabled once complete.