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Question and Answer Tracking Details

3965 - STATISTICS ON MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS ABSCONDING

Donato, Philip to the Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast representing the Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Youth, and Minister for the North Coast
STATISTICS ON MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS ABSCONDING

(1) Could you please provide statistics for the past 10 years, by year, the number of occurrences forensic mental health patients have absconded from forensic mental health units statewide, whilst on day/s release?

(2) Could you please provide statistics for the past 10 years, by year, the number of occurrences forensic mental health patients have absconded from forensic mental health unit, Bloomfield Hospital at Orange, whilst on day/s release?
Answer -
STATISTICS ON MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS ABSCONDING

I'm advised:

Absconding while on supervised leave from forensic units is a rare event. NSW Health local health districts and specialty health networks report quarterly data on absconding events for each mental health unit. Data collection commenced in 2018 and includes absconding of patients who are on supervised leave.

Statewide, the number of events of absconding while on supervised leave from forensic units is:

  • 2018: 2
  • 2019: 2
  • 2020: 4
  • 2021: 6
  • 2022: 4
  • 2023: 9
  • 2024 (Jan to Jun): 3

Since 2018, there has been one reported episode of absconding while on supervised leave from the forensic unit at Bloomfield Hospital. This occurred in 2023.

Question asked on 22 October 2024 (session 58-1) and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 81
Answer received on 26 November 2024 and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 92

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