Child psychiatrist services, Alice Springs
WRITTEN QUESTIONS
9th Assembly
28/10/2004
240. Child psychiatrist services, Alice Springs
Ms Carney to MINISTER for Family and Community Services
QUESTION1. Recently Daniel Rumbal has not had any access to a child psychiatrist in Alice Springs. Furthermore, this matter been ongoing for approximately 12 months with no resolution –
- (a) Why does Daniel now need to travel as far as Perth to be seen by a suitably qualified medical practitioner; and
(b) Is any hope for a child psychiatrist to be based in Alice Springs in the near future, or for that matter elsewhere in the Northern Territory, as I understand that there are no child psychiatrists in the Territory at present.
ANSWERAnswered on 06/01/2005
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Section 91 of the Mental Health and Related Services Act prohibits disclosure of any information regarding a patient’s contact with mental health services without consent. I do not have the consent of the persons concerned within this case to provide any details pertaining to their health condition or treatment. However, I can respond to your question regarding the availability of child psychiatry services in the Northern Territory.
There is a permanent child and adolescent Psychiatrist based in Darwin. There is a second child psychiatrist position in Alice Springs that is currently vacant. There is a specialist child and adolescent psychologist based in Alice Springs.
Child and adolescent psychiatry services in Central Australia have been provided by visiting locum specialists throughout 2004. This will continue until a permanent appointment is made. When Labour came to Government there were no dedicated Government child psychiatrist positions in the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016