New interim mental health safeguards to enhance safety of children

Queensland Health has immediately implemented new interim arrangements for the safety of children with parents discharged following mental health involuntary treatment orders, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

The initial findings of Queensland Health’s procedural review into the discharge of a male mental health patient has also been referred by Mr Robertson to the independent Health Quality and Complaints Commission for its consideration.

Mr Robertson said the new interim measures adopted by Queensland Health followed a meeting yesterday between the Queensland Children’s Commissioner and representatives of Queensland Health, the Department of Child Safety and Department of Premier and Cabinet.

"As the Acting Premier and I indicated publicly, if the ongoing inquiries indicated anything we could do to improve existing processes, that's what we'd do.

"And these interim measures are about exactly that - acting on what the State Government put in place yesterday.

“The safety and wellbeing of children is paramount and these new safeguards may help prevent another tragedy occurring in the future.

“That’s why a new risk assessment framework and reporting policy is the cornerstone of the new interim safeguards.”

Queensland Health’s Director of Mental Health has issued a directive to all mental health practitioners with responsibilities under the Mental Health Act for discharging patients under involuntary treatment orders.

That directive requires:

• A mandatory assessment and child care plan prior to discharge of patients under involuntary treatment orders where those patients have responsibilities for, or are involved in, the care for children.

• The assessment include the patient’s ability to parent the children and any foreseeable risk of harm to the children;

• Ensure the notification of cases to the Department of Child Safety where it is assessed that the children may be at risk of harm following the discharge of the patient as required by the legislation.

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health will, as a matter of priority, also advise the Children’s Commissioner on options for strengthening the monitoring of patients discharged from involuntary treatment orders specifically where the patient has responsibilities for, or are involved in the care of children.

“This will occur no later than next week.

“In addition, during this interim period, Queensland Health and the Department of Child Safety will monitor the effectiveness and the impact of the new arrangements,” he said

“I want to assure Queenslanders that we are strongly committed to the welfare and safety of both mental health patients and their families.

“My department’s immediate action in addressing these issues demonstrates that commitment.

“As a government we acted quickly in establishing these inquiries.

The Children’s Commissioner accepted the appointment immediately and is already delivering, as you can see here," Mr Robertson said.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH  0417 728 676