Answers to Questions

EATING DISORDER UNIT

In reply to the Hon. R.I. LUCAS (9 February 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women): The Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse has been advised:

Changes in the configuration of beds in mental health, including changes to Ward 4G, are in response to the recommendations in the report Stepping Up: A Social Inclusion Action Plan for Mental Health Reform 2007-12. The recommendations in the report involved a shift in the emphasis from acute care beds to a stepped system of care, comprising community care and support, 24-hour supported accommodation, community rehabilitation centres, intermediate care, acute care and secure care to allow people to 'step up' to more intensive health care if they are becoming unwell and 'step down' to other support services as they get better.

The changes in the mix of acute and sub-acute beds in mental health results in no budget savings to SA Health.