2231. Hon Alison Xamon to the parliamentary secretary representing the Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health:
I refer to the Draft Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce Strategic Framework 2018–25, and I ask:
(a) (a) when will the final version of the framework be released;
(b) (b) does the latest version of the framework explicitly recognise people with intellectual and developmental disability as a priority population; and
(c) (c) if no to (b), why not?
Hon Alanna Clohesy replied:
I am advised:
(a) The draft Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce Strategic Framework 2019–2025 (Workforce Strategic Framework) is planned to be finalised and publically released in late 2019.
(b) The consultation draft currently available on the Mental Health Commission website does not explicitly recognise people with intellectual and developmental disability.
(c) The draft Workforce Strategic Framework includes a strategy to support the workforce to deliver services and programs that meet the requirements of the dynamic and diverse Western Australian population, specifically referring to people with disability.
Through the implementation of relevant strategies (including the above mentioned strategy), the capabilities of the mental health, and broader health workforce will be developed and enhanced. This can include capabilities to address and manage a range of complex disorders including intellectual, cognitive and developmental disability. This is also a key priority as identified in the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015–2025: Plan Update 2018.