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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-06-17 Daily Xml
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MENTAL HEALTH

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse a question about mental health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: South Australia is in the midst of an unprecedented restructuring of its mental health services after the dark decade of Liberal Party rule. As a result of reforms proposed by the Social Inclusion Board, there will be more beds, better facilities and better community care. While this investment in infrastructure is vital to a better mental health system, attracting key leaders to help deliver the best mental health care is just as important. Will the minister inform the council of the latest addition to the team driving South Australia's mental health reforms?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable minister will disregard the opinion in the question.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:44): Well-informed opinion, Mr President. I thank the honourable member for his question and his well-informed opinion. I am pleased to inform the council that South Australia's mental health reforms have taken a further step forward with the appointment of a psychiatrist as our state's new director of policy.

Dr Margaret Honeyman, who has extensive and prestigious international experience, joins Derek Wright, Director of Mental Health Operations, in a newly-created role in South Australia's health system as Director of Mental Health Policy. This is a role which will see her provide sound, high-level policy advice on mental health, as well as developing SA Mental Health policy.

Dr Honeyman will lead South Australia's involvement in national mental health activities, including the development of the next National Mental Health Plan, as well as fostering partnerships with consumer groups, clinicians, professional bodies and the private and NGO sectors. She has also been appointed to the role of chief advisor in psychiatry to the state government, and I look forward to working closely with her in future.

As I stated earlier, Dr Honeyman comes to us with considerable credentials. She was awarded the Companion of the Queen's Service Order for Public Service in New Zealand in 2007 and brings considerable experience to the new role. Prior to her appointment with SA Health, Dr Honeyman held the position of clinical director and director of Waitemata Area Mental Health Service in New Zealand. A fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Dr Honeyman has held several positions at the college in New Zealand, including chair of the New Zealand National Committee. Dr Honeyman was also a member of the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal for the Medical Council of New Zealand. Dr Honeyman has also held a number of other senior clinical positions in the New Zealand public health system, both in acute and community services, and was the director of training for the Auckland Regional Psychiatric Scheme.

Dr Honeyman has also practised as a specialist psychiatrist in private practice in New Zealand and I am sure her knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to South Australia's ongoing reform of mental health services. Dr Honeyman has also served as clinical lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Auckland, as well as undertaking a role as visiting lecturer and examiner at the University of Singapore. She has also worked in Scotland, where she was trained, as well as in the United Arab Emirates.

I am pleased to report to the council that Dr Honeyman was keen to join the team at SA Health because she recognises the great work that is being done to reform South Australia's mental health system. It is vital to this process that we have the right calibre of staff, and Dr Honeyman will structure and lead the development of mental health policy across the state, in conjunction with our valuable clinical staff and key stakeholders, such as carers and consumers. I take this opportunity to warmly welcome Dr Honeyman to this state as her new home and her new and very important role as the chief policy person in South Australia.

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