CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
410. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Mental Health:
I
refer the minister to the Chief Psychiatrist's review, dated December
2020, into the tragic death of Ms Kate Savage, aged 13 years, the scope
of which took into consideration gaps in the mental health service provision
for children and adolescents across WA.
(1) Is the minister able to comment on the Chief
Psychiatrist's conclusion that we have, and I quote, ''a
significant problem of chronic under-resourcing'' across the
child and adolescent mental health service?
(2) What
additional resources is the McGowan government in a position to commit to
rectify this incredibly dangerous shortfall in public funding?
(3) What
response, if any, has the minister formulated to date to the review's
three recommendations, and when will the government's response be made
public?
(4) Has the
minister copied the review and its findings to the WA coroner, with an aim to
its being considered in any potential future coronial process, as suggested in
appendix 1 of the review; and, if not, why not?
Hon KYLE
McGINN replied:
I
thank the member for some notice of the question. The answer has been provided
by the Minister for Mental Health.
(1) The
Ministerial Taskforce into Public Mental Health Services for Infants, Children
and Adolescents Aged 0–18 Years in Western Australia—the ICA
task force—was established in response to the targeted review by the
Chief Psychiatrist. Since its formation in March 2021, the ICA task force has
been working to identify system-wide gaps, paying particular attention to the
adequacy and equity of access to services across WA and across all age groups.
The situation WA is experiencing is not unique, with all Australian governments
acknowledging there has been an increased demand for services over the past
decade.
(2) In February 2021, the McGowan government committed
to a $122 million youth mental health package. This strategic investment will address some of the
priority services identified for investment in the Better choices. Better
lives. Western Australian mental health, alcohol and other drug services plan
2015–25.
(3) The targeted review by the Chief Psychiatrist
following the tragic death of Kate Savage made seven recommendations. In
December 2020, the Minister for Mental Health immediately acted on
recommendation 7 to establish a child and adolescent mental health ministerial
task force. The ICA task force has been tasked to deliver an implementation
plan by 30 November 2021 and has taken all recommendations into consideration.
The Child and Adolescent Health Service and the Mental Health Commission are
working together to address the remaining recommendations. Recommendations 3, 5
and 6 have all been completed.
(4) The Office of
the Chief Psychiatrist sent copies of the Chief Psychiatrist's review
to the WA coroner on 7 January 2021. As a statutory agent, the WA coroner will
decide on the role of this review and its findings and recommendations in any
potential coronial process going forward.