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Canberra Today 13°/17° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

The Secure Mental Health Unit inches towards the light

Simon Corbell feature crop

SIMON Corbell says two new pieces of legislation that will guide the day to day management of ACT Health’s new Secure Mental Health Unit and clearly define the processes for transfer of custody of detainees to the unit has been passed in the Legislative Assembly.

“The Mental Health (Secure Facilities) Bill 2016 would define how the new Secure Mental Health Unit will operate and it sets out the rights and responsibilities of staff, visitors and patients,” Simon said.

“The Mental Health Amendment Bill 2016 will ensure there is a well-defined legislative framework for the transfer of court ordered custody of detainees being transferred to the Secure Mental Health Unit and into ACT Health’s care from the Alexander Maconochie Centre or Bimberi Youth Justice Centre.

“The ACT Government is committed to ensuring there are robust processes and clear understanding of the rights and responsibilities of staff, visitors and patients that will use the secure mental health facility.

“Both Bills have looked at best practice around Australia and overseas and applied it in the ACT context. They have also been developed through extensive consultation with key mental health agencies and clinicians, including the ACT Human Rights Commission and the Public Advocate.”

“The Mental Health (Secure Facilities) Bill 2016 sets out patient, family and visitors rights within the Secure Mental Health Unit, and provides a clearer framework regarding staff’s rights and responsibilities, the limits on their powers, and their obligations in enacting those powers, for example in searching for or managing contraband in the facility.

“This legislation also provides members of staff with the legislative footing to do what is necessary in the least restrictive way to ensure a safe outcome for patients receiving care.

“The ACT Government is investing over $40 million to build the new Secure Mental Health Unit, which will fill a gap that currently exists in ACT mental health services.

“These are services that the most vulnerable in our community will rely on in the future. By ensuring they are safe, with well-defined processes in place, we will support better therapeutic outcomes for patients and deliver on our core purpose of improving health outcomes for all Canberrans.

“The Secure Mental Health Unit is part of the more than $909 million Health Infrastructure Program, which is investing in Canberra’s health care facilities. Construction of the Secure Mental health Unit is well underway and the facility is expected to open later this year.”

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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