Service For The Intellectually Disabled

About this Item
Speakers - Goldsmith The Hon Dr Marlene
Business - Adjournment

SERVICE FOR THE INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED

The Hon. Dr MARLENE GOLDSMITH [6.35]: I place on record the concerns of Mr Ray Webb of Abbotsford who has written to me about a most important matter. The information that he provided me is of such concern that I wish to bring it to the attention of all honourable members, and it is best that I do so in Mr Webb's words. He wrote:

Throughout the state, and no doubt throughout the Commonwealth, every person living in institutions run by the Community Services Department is presently being assessed to ascertain whether it is possible for them to be moved to live in the general community.

I see this as a direct attack on the rights of people who cannot speak for themselves or fend for themselves in the outside world.

My experience with the handicapped commenced in 1960 when my daughter was born.

From the age of six weeks to 18 months, Leisa spent almost half of her life in the Children's Hospital at Camperdown.

By the age of two, she was a full time resident at Greystanes Private Hospital in Leura, run by Matron MacDonald. She lived there for three years.

At five years she moved to the Revesby Centre for Handicapped Children (the Whitehall Private Hospital) run by the Intellectually and Physically Handicapped Childrens Association of N.S.W.

Finally, at age seven, Leisa was admitted to Stockton Hospital and has lived there since. Today, she is a happy, protected resident. Stockton Hospital has been her home for 28 years.

The attention, care and love she has received from the staff at Stockton has been tremendous.

This dear sweet handicapped daughter has developed as far as possible under Stockton's specialised guidance and she lives a happy and safe life. Despite many changes of staff over the 29 years that I have been interested in Stockton Hospital, their attitude has always been totally professional and compassionate. Leisa, however cannot look after herself. She would be a danger to herself and others if transferred to the outside world where she did not constantly receive 100% protection and attention within the security of a closed environment.

Leisa's experience can be taken as fairly typical of the thousands of full time residents in hospitals like Stockton around Australia.

The Support needs assessment document covers 22 pages. The compilation of these reports by the nursing staffs around the country must have taken thousands of hours.

It is a pity so much time and effort was wasted when the whole exercise was unnecessary for the exact capability of each resident is constantly assessed by the regular nursing and medical staff in the course of their professional duties.

To have a family member admitted as a resident in one of these Government Hospitals is a long and involved process. I don't know how long it might take these days but thirty years ago it took between five to six years with regular interviews and assessments several times a year.

Page 3031

There was no hope of having any person admitted if there was any way it could be seriously demonstrated that they could cope in the outside world.

Rather than meddle with the poor intellectually handicapped people, the Department of Community Services would do well to consider handing the whole business of running such places back to the Health Department. The Health Department pioneered these services over many years and did, in the main, a very good job.

I have raised this important matter as I recognise, through the words of Mr Webb, the concern of parents who fear for the safety of their adult intellectually disabled children under the changing policies of the department. I also put on record my admiration for the courage of such parents. It must have been difficult for the Webb family to ensure that Leisa was properly provided for. The ongoing concern of Ray Webb shines through in his letter.

Most importantly, Mr Webb's letter is not about general theories, ideologies or abstract ideals. It is about an individual - his daughter, Leisa. Government policy finally comes to realisation at the level of individuals and their families, who are affected. I place this information on the record for the benefit of all honourable members, but particularly members of the Government. I will seek a response to Mr Webb's concerns from the responsible Minister, the Hon. R. D. Dyer. I know he is concerned about the intellectually disabled, and I shall write to him in due course.

Last modified 05/12/2007 16:34:03 : Update this page