House of Assembly: Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Contents

Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr KNOLL (Schubert) (14:44): A supplementary to the Minister for Mental Health: how does the minister respond to Professor Dabars who, in her newsletter from May 2017, says that 'NALHN has not responded to complaints made by staff and ANMF…regarding the prevailing culture at the Oakden facility, including allegations of bullying spanning several months and years'?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:45): What we do know is there is an ongoing piece of work involving changing the standards, the quality and safety framework and the care, most importantly, of the residents of Makk and McLeay.

Mr Bell: That's why you read the report so quickly.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: Ultimately, we will be closing—

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier is warned.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: —the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service at that site. In only days now, we will be moving people to the Northgate facility to ensure the residents have a better future at that facility. There is a long-term planning piece that we are beginning to undertake, which I outlined to the house yesterday in my most recent ministerial statement about developing a longer-term model of care. All those things go to the heart of ensuring the residents at that site are at the centre of this government's attention and how we will work with staff, the families, the people who support them and, most importantly, the residents to improve the quality of their life as we move forward.