Oakden Mental Health Facility

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:06): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I rise to update the house on the state government's progress to implement all six recommendations of the Oakden review. In its findings, the Oakden review made six recommendations to the state government. The state government has accepted all six findings in full. As mentioned in a previous statement on 20 June this year, an oversight committee has been formed to action these recommendations. The committee will provide regular updates to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

The committee has been charged to develop a new model of care for people with the behavioural and psychological manifestation of dementia. This will also include making recommendations to the minister about the appropriate site for a new dedicated facility. In this year's state budget, $14.7 million has been committed towards the construction of a new older persons mental health facility. Further work is underway to create new models for staffing, clinical governance, workplace culture and a strategy to reduce the use of restraints, called trauma Informed principles.

In terms of staffing, I am advised that, as of 8 August 2017, 12 people are currently suspended from the workplace pending further investigations. There are currently nine people referred to SAPOL, and 34 referrals have been made to AHPRA. In addition, two people have resigned and three people have had their employment terminated. It has been mentioned in this place on many occasions that these numbers will fluctuate as new information is brought forward. MinterEllison have been engaged to assist in the industrial relation matters regarding some of the allegations.

In order to protect the integrity of these investigations, it would be inappropriate for particular details to be disclosed to the house. We must be mindful not to jeopardise any of these proceedings as they are taking place. The state government is committed to ensuring that the findings of the Oakden review inform a new service. A significant amount work is underway to meet all six recommendations, and further updates to the house will be provided in due course.