Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (14:39): My question is again to the Minister for Mental Health. Does the minister agree with public comments made on 3 May by the new clinical leader of Oakden, Dr Duncan McKellar, that 'while a model of care is developed and new infrastructure built, there are immediate needs for transitional care arrangements for existing residents of Oakden'?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:40): To start with, clinical matters that the doctor is referring to are ongoing matters, where he is assessing the ongoing wellbeing and medical status of the people who are the residents of Oakden. These are people who are acutely unwell because of their mental health and dementia conditions.

We are talking about people with the most extreme levels of dementia in tiers 6 and 7. Those conditions can fluctuate every day. Of course he would have their concerns at the forefront of his mind, about what needs to be done on a daily basis, and his views are listened to very seriously by myself and my staff and those at SA Health. He is one of the people who is bringing about change at this institution. He was involved in the review and he is highly respected in his opinions.