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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-21 Daily Xml
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Answers to Questions

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES

15 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010).

1. What steps are taken at all mental health facilities in South Australia to ensure that patients do not consume alcohol or illicit drugs?

2. What steps are taken to ensure that patients take their prescribed medication and do not pass their medication onto other patients or visitors?

3. How many instances of violence caused by patients to other patients, staff and visitors occurred in 2008-09 in mental health facilities and during these instances what was the security on these occasions and what compensation has been or will be paid?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I am advised:

1. All staff working in mental health facilities follow the 'Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Possession' procedure to ensure all appropriate steps are taken should consumers be suspected of consuming alcohol or illicit drugs.

2. All staff working in mental health facilities follow the 'Medication Management' procedure, which includes the appropriate dispensing and administration of medication to the correct consumer. Consumers are observed taking their medication and this has been standard practice for many years to avoid any possible misuse of prescribed medications among consumers. Senior staff are required to ensure all staff comply with the 'Medication Management' procedure. All nursing staff are required to adhere to the Nurses and Midwifery Board of SA Standard for Medication Management.

3. During 2008-09 the Department of Health recorded 648 incidents of violence caused by mental health patients to other consumers, staff and visitors. The incidents are categorised in the Department's Adverse Incidents Management System as insignificant, minor, serious and significant. Of these incidents, 4.9 per cent fell in the category of serious or significant. The number of serious or significant incidents compared to total mental health separations represents 0.24 per cent.

A risk assessment determines the level of supervision for mental health consumers (detained or voluntary). The outcome of the risk assessment determines if a patient is allocated a security guard, a nurse or is managed by general observations. Security guards are used across metropolitan Adelaide hospitals (and a small number of country sites) to provide a safe and secure environment for the public, consumers and staff. Security guards work under the direction of medical and nursing staff.

In 2008-09 there were 24 claims about instances of violence lodged by staff. An amount of approximately $130 000 was paid against these claims. There were no compensation payments made to the public.

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