Oakden Mental Health Facility

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:14): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: I rise to provide the house with an update on the progress the state government is making in closing the Makk and McLeay wards at Oakden and relocating residents to the Northgate aged-care facility. As I have informed the house previously, I made the decision to bring forward the closure of Makk and McLeay wards following further abuse allegations being raised.

I can inform the house that works at the Northgate facility are progressing well and are expected to be completed in the coming days. Two cottages are being converted so they each have eight bedrooms, combined living spaces and enhanced safety features. As a new service, Northgate House will be developed according to a nurse-led, residential aged-care model, with specialist skills in managing BPSD and mental illness.

It is essential that the staff skill mix reflects a balance between nursing staff with extensive aged-care experience and training, with particular reference to BPSD and also the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency standards, and nursing staff with mental health training and/or experience. Additional allied health staff will include senior occupational therapists, social workers, physiotherapists, clinical pharmacists, dietitians, dentists and speech pathologists.

Residents will begin to be transferred to Northgate subject to a full clinical assessment and the wishes of their families. The transition will be completed by mid-June. In regard to residents who are relocating to the private aged-care sector and other facilities, I can inform the house that so far seven have been successfully transitioned. I can also inform the house that a panel has been established to oversee the full implementation of the Chief Psychiatrist's recommendations, and it will be headed by Mr Tom Stubbs. Mr Stubbs has extensive experience in the health and aged-care sectors, and over recent years his roles have included chairing the boards of Education Services Australia and ECH, as well as a number of risk and audit committees within the health and education sector.

An interim model of care has been developed and is in place at Oakden. This interim model of care will be replaced with a permanent model which will be established in consultation with the appropriate clinicians and the families of residents. I can also update the house that the mental health facility audit announced by SA Health CEO, Vickie Kaminski, is also progressing. It will be completed over the coming months, and we will release the findings when it is done.

In terms of staffing, as of today a total of 10 staff are currently suspended pending further investigations, one staff member's employment has been terminated and another has resigned. In total, 26 staff members have been referred to AHPRA. I can also inform the house that a dedicated helpline for families and carers has so far received 49 calls.

Today, the South Australian ICAC commissioner released the terms of reference of his inquiry into Oakden, which the state government welcomes. In addition, there is also a joint committee of inquiry into elder abuse, and a commonwealth review of AACQA has been announced by the federal minister, Ken Wyatt. We also welcome Senator Nick Xenophon's efforts to have the Senate look into the failings of the commonwealth's Australian Aged Care Quality Agency's ongoing accreditation of Oakden. Of course, these inquiries come on top of the Chief Psychiatrist's in-depth report into the failings of Oakden, which I commissioned in December last year.

I believe the move to the Northgate aged-care facility offers a new start for residents of the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service. The refurbishment and the new model of care will provide more options for appropriate therapies and ensure residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I am continuing to meet with families about the individual concerns and to support them while their loved ones transition to Northgate and other facilities.