OAKDEN NURSING HOME

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:34): Sir, I have a supplementary question. Does the minister concede that the new management team had to be found at short notice because of the sheer number of resignations from senior positions at Oakden?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:34): The challenges before the staff at Makk and McLeay are quite significant, and I have outlined those previously. So, they are on record. The staff have worked extremely hard in putting together a comprehensive action plan to mitigate risks and to ensure that we fill all the standard obligations with the commonwealth.

A great deal of work has already been done and we continue with that work. I have made it clear that as part of that we have made significant changes to our management team and other staff. I believe that that has, in effect, assisted us in working towards compliance with the commonwealth and providing excellent nursing care to the patients who use that facility.