APY Lands, CAMHS Staff Vacancies

In reply to Ms PRATT (Frome) (17 June 2022). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing): I have been advised:

The former liberal government took away physical services on the APY lands and switched to a telehealth model with no in-person support for the community.

After more than 14 months, this government returned physical services to the APY Lands and the planning for the community consulted integrated model of care, led by Aboriginal clinical staff from across the Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN) and the Chief Psychiatrist.

I am advised this means staff are visiting fortnightly (one week on and one week off), and that a pathway for urgent mental health clinical issues has been developed which includes the option of telehealth.

Myself and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs asked that the recruitment strategy be revisited and another recruitment process be undertaken, with the aim to attract the workforce needed to provide an on-lands service delivery. WCHN and OCP are currently working on this.

Ensuring that mental health support and other services, including Child and Family Health Services, are back on the ground is a huge increase from what they had under the former government, who removed the in-person supports for this hugely vulnerable population of kids and families who need help.