Detailed consultations on mental health reform

18 March 2011

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.

The deadline for submissions on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill was extended to 8 February 2011 to ensure anyone who wanted to make a submission had sufficient time to do so.

More than 100 additional submissions from people with a mental illness, families, carers and community agencies have been received following the original closing date.

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.

Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge said 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, Ms Wooldridge said.

The process 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 the new laws.

Consultation sessions

Date	Time	Venue	Information
Tuesday 22 March	9.45am - 12.00pm	Level 1, Lecture Room, Royal College of Surgeons, 250 – 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne 3002	Round-table will discuss independent oversight of electroconvulsive therapy for compulsory patients.
Thursday 24 March	9.45am - 12.00pm	Level 1, Lecture Room, Royal College of Surgeons, 250 – 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne 3002	Round-table will discuss patient information privacy and the provision, disclosure and collection of patient information.
Thursday 24 March	1.45am - 4.00pm	Level 1, Lecture Room, Royal College of Surgeons, 250 – 290 Spring Street, East Melbourne 3002	Round-table will look at the legislative framework governing the treatment of children and young people.
Thursday 31 March	9.45am - 12.00pm	Level 1, Room 1.01, Department of Health, 50 Lonsdale Street	Round-table will look at issues including consent and capacity in a compulsory treatment framework.

All Victorians with an interest in the changes to the Mental Health Act are invited to the consultation sessions, as well as individuals and groups who made submissions on the Exposure Draft.

RSVP

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.