Psychiatric hostels — funding
4639. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Mental Health
I refer to the thirty–five private psychiatric hostels providing accommodation and support facilities for mentally ill people in Western Australia, and I ask —
(1) How much money was budgeted by the Western Australian Government to these Private psychiatric hostels in each of the financial years —
(a) 2008–2009;
((b) 2009–2010; and
((c) 2010–2011?
(2) How much money has the Western Australian Government budgeted for private psychiatric hostels in the 2011–2012 financial year?
(3) Can the Minister commit the Government to continuing the support for these private psychiatric hostels into the future?
Hon HELEN MORTON replied:
(1) (a) $3,503,995.
((b) $3,686,594.
((c) $3,875,982.
(2) $4,402,961.
(3) This Government is committed to providing the most appropriate supports and services to allow people with a mental illness to live a good life in the community. A range of accommodation options including private psychiatric hostels are available within the community.
Whilst the Mental Health Commission (MHC) is continuing to fund private psychiatric hostels and acknowledges the valuable contribution they make, it is appropriate to continuously examine what form of accommodation is provided and to explore ways to increasingly ensure that people with mental illness have the opportunity to enjoy the same sort of accommodation as the rest of the community. It is anticipated that over time, more people with mental illness will be able to live in individual accommodation rather than large congregate living arrangements. The MHC is committed to maintaining a close working relationship with the Private Psychiatric Hostels Association and hostel operators so that they are consulted and kept informed of future developments.