Source: Office of Mary Wooldridge, Victorian Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Community Services and Ageing

Wednesday 5 December 2007

NEW REPORTS SLAM ACCOMMODATION FOR VULNERABLE VICTORIANS

Accommodation for vulnerable Victorians is in crisis due to the Brumby Government’s under-funding and mismanagement, said Mary Wooldridge, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Community Services and Ageing.

Three new reports by the Community Visitors, the independent watchdog charged with monitoring standards in accommodation for senior Victorians and those with a mental illness or disability, were tabled in parliament today.

A lack of accommodation, insufficient staff numbers and problems with resources and maintenance are key themes in these reports.

"These explosive reports clearly document a massive lack of accommodation options that needs to be rectified now,” Ms Wooldridge said.

The reports show that:

• Due to a lack of accommodation for those with a mental illness there is a serious lack of accommodation options with some patients remaining in acute units for more than eight months Community Visitors Annual Report 2007, Mental Health, p. 3
• There is a continuing crisis in unmet accommodation needs for people with a disability Annual Report 2007, Disability Services, p. 3
• The Community Visitors are distressed that increasing numbers of young people with an intellectual disability or mental illness Annual Report 2007, Health Services, p. 15 are being dumped in private low care facilities

"I am also very concerned that the Brumby Government has not appropriately invested in the workforce, and vulnerable clients are now paying a heavy price," Ms Wooldridge said.

The reports show that:

• In mental health facilities there remain continuing staff shortages Annual Report 2007, Mental Health, p. 3
• In disability accommodation inadequate staff resources and poorly resourced staff rosters are seriously affecting the quality of life for many residents Annual Report 2007, Disability Services, p. 14
• In private low care facilities low staff ratios are contributing to an increased number of serious incidents … including threats with knives, assaults, and the death of several residents Annual Report 2007, Health Services, p. 5

"Not enough beds and not enough staff aren’t the only problems vulnerable Victorians seeking accommodation are facing," Ms Wooldridge said.

"This new report reveals that many facilities are in a shocking state of disrepair."

The reports show that:

In mental health facilities significant delays in maintenance have been a disturbing trend Annual Report 2007, Mental Health, p. 3

• In disability accommodation there are unacceptable delays in rectifying building and maintenance concerns Annual Report 2007, Disability Services, p. 3 and 712 maintenance concerns were raised with the Community Visitors last year Ibid., p. 18
• Private low care facilities are poorly maintained, including large cracks in walls and strong urine smells and repugnant odours Annual Report 2007, Health Services, p. 19

"Vulnerable Victorians are being shamefully neglected by the Brumby government," Ms Wooldridge said.

"Labor has indicated a partial review of Supported Residential Services (SRSs) next year, however such a narrow review will be totally inadequate.

"The Minister has not listened to individuals and their families and has not listened to the community sector or the Opposition about the crisis in supported accommodation.

"The Minister must finally listen to her independent advisers, the Community Visitors, and conduct a full independent review of all accommodation options for vulnerable Victorians.

"I call on the Minister to immediately start this process, or vulnerable Victorians will continue to suffer," Ms Wooldridge said.