455. Hon Alison Xamon to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to findings reported in the Mental Health Advocacy Service Annual Report 2016–17 about admission practices for 16 and 17 year old mental health patients, and I ask:
(a) are there provisions for 16 and 17 year olds in current assertive patient flow arrangements;
(b) if no to (a), what protocols are in place to ensure timely and efficient access to appropriate inpatient care for 16 and 17 year old children;
(c) is the Minister aware that some 16 and 17 year olds with acute mental health conditions are waiting days in emergency departments for a bed, or being admitted in to adult mental health wards;
(d) is the department implementing measures to prevent these practices from occurring in the future;
(e) if yes to (d), what are they; and
(f) if no to (d), why not?
Hon Alanna Clohesy replied:
I am advised that:
(a) Yes.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Yes. The availability of beds does fluctuate at times during the year and even certain days of the week. On very rare occasions, and when clinically appropriate, 16–17 year olds may be admitted to an adult bed, however, as soon as a youth bed becomes available the youth is transferred.
(d) Yes.
(e) The Department of Health is reviewing patient flow coordination.
(f) Not applicable.