Question Time

Comorbidity

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Health and Mental Health questions regarding the physical health of people with mental illness.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: A month ago, a member of my staff attended a Life Without Barriers breakfast about one of their innovative programs. This project is called the Physical Needs Project and acknowledges that evidence and everyday experience show that people with mental illness have poorer physical health outcomes than those without mental illness.

I note that yesterday InDaily carried the story of Pat Sutton and the struggle she has had for some 20 years. She has repeatedly been let down by the health system as she has tried to improve the health outcomes of her two sons. Ms Sutton explains in the story how the existence of cognitive disability from a violent assault on her son, combined with schizophrenia, means that he cannot recognise his physical and mental illnesses. It is therefore incredibly challenging to get him to go to the doctor, dentist or other health services.

It is exactly these sorts of stories that led me to establish a Social Development Committee inquiry into comorbidity. The inquiry is now underway and is investigating services and challenges where dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and/or acquired brain injury exists alongside a mental illness or chronic substance abuse. My questions to the minister are:

1. What training is provided to SA Health medical staff, such as doctors, dentists, nurses and other specialist medical staff regarding a dual diagnosis?

2. What research and information are available to individuals and their families, disability services providers and support workers, regarding dual diagnosis?

3. What SA Health supports are in place to assist individuals and their family carers to manage dual diagnosis?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions, and I commend her for her ongoing advocacy in these very important issues. I undertake to take those questions to the minister in the other place and bring back a response on her behalf.