The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said a series of in depth discussions will be held over the next three weeks to promote robust debate and discussion on ways to improve Victoria’s mental health laws. More than 100 additional submissions from people with a mental illness, families, carers and community agencies have been received following Labor’s original closing date. Thursday 24 March 9.45am – 12.00pm – round-table will discuss patient information privacy and the provision, disclosure and collection of patient information. (Level 1, Lecture Room, Royal College of Surgeons, 250 – 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne 3002). Please note RSVPs are required to attend a round-table. To register please contact Karleen Edwards on (03) 9096 0790 or email karleen.edwards@health.vic.gov.au
“The Liberal Nationals Coalition Government extended the submission deadline on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill to ensure anyone who wanted to make a submission had sufficient time to do so,” Mr Delahunty said.
Mr Delahunty said that in order to bring genuine debate on areas of contention in the draft Bill, the Minister for Mental Health was also initiating a series of consultations around critical areas of reform.
In addition to policy-specific round-tables, dedicated consumer and carer discussions will be jointly hosted by the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and the Victorian Mental Health Carers Network.
“Victoria’s Mental Health Act 1986 is the oldest mental health legislation in Australia, and needs to be improved to reflect current standards. It is important that individuals, families, and community and health professionals are given the time and opportunity to contribute to the debate and discussion around what the new Act contains.
“We will ensure that the views of people who work in mental health or whose lives are impacted upon by mental illness are given the chance to help frame our new laws,” Mr Delahunty said.
Mr Delahunty said all Victorians with an interest in the changes to the Mental Health Act were invited to the roundtables, as well as individuals and groups who made submissions on the Exposure Draft.
The consultations are as follows:
Thursday 17 March 9.45am – 12.00pm – round-table will discuss arrangements for oversight and review of compulsory treatment. (Gorman Room, Level 1 Urban Workshop Conference Centre Corner Little Lonsdale and Gorman Alley).
Tuesday 22 March 9.45am – 12.00pm – round-table will discuss independent oversight of electroconvulsive therapy for compulsory patients. (Level 1, Lecture Room, Royal College of Surgeons, 250 – 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne 3002).
Thursday 24 March 1.45 pm – 4.00 pm – round-table will look at the legislative framework governing the treatment of children and young people. (Level 1, Lecture Room, Royal College of Surgeons, 250 – 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne 3002).
Thursday 31 March 9.45am – 12.00pm – round-table will look at issues including consent and capacity in a compulsory treatment framework. (Level 1, Room 1.01, Department of Health, 50 Lonsdale Street).
