A taskforce of seven public sector leaders will be established to inform the McGowan Government's planning and investment decisions regarding the Graylands Hospital site, forensics services and the nearby Selby Older Adult Mental Health Service.
The work will align with the WA Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025, which highlighted the need for these services to be decommissioned, divested and replaced with contemporary infrastructure and services.
Graylands Hospital is the State's only standalone public psychiatric teaching hospital that provides forensic services, acute care, treatment and rehabilitation for adults.
The highly skilled members of the Graylands Reconfiguration and Forensic Taskforce bring together knowledge and expertise, and will oversee the planning and development of replacement services that meet the needs of Western Australians living with mental illness now and into the future.
Chaired by Hon. Jim McGinty, the taskforce also includes:
- Michael Andrews, Acting Executive Director Strategic Policy and Evaluation, Department of Treasury;
- Debora Colvin, Chief Mental Health Advocate
- Rachael Green, Acting Deputy Director General, Community Services, Department of Communities;
- Angela Kelly, Acting Deputy Director General, Recovery Implementation and State Services, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Jennifer McGrath, Commissioner, Mental Health Commission;
- Dr David Russell-Weisz, Director General, Department of Health; and
- Dr Adam Tomison, Director General, Department of Justice.
To take on the new role, Mr McGinty has stepped down from his role as Board Chair, North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS), having facilitated significant improvements in governance, service delivery and financial management of the Health Service Provider.
The State Government has approved the appointment of Professor David Forbes as the new Board Chair of the NMHS until June 2022.
Prof. Forbes has been the Deputy Board Chair since 2018 and has held roles in health service management as the Chair of Paediatric Medicine at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, and as a Clinical Advisor and Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health.
As stated by Health and Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:
"The establishment of the Graylands Reconfiguration and Forensic Taskforce is a major step towards progressing the WA Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025 as it relates to Graylands Hospital and the Selby Older Adult Mental Health Service.
"The McGowan Government is making high-quality mental health services a priority, and outdated facilities at Graylands and Selby are simply not suited to contemporary models of care.
"I am confident that the skills and insights of Mr McGinty and the highly respected taskforce members will be invaluable in guiding the Government's critical decisions about future investments in mental health infrastructure and service delivery approach.
"I thank Mr McGinty for his outstanding contribution to the NMHS and congratulate Professor Forbes on his appointment as chair of the NMHS Board, which is accountable for the oversight of hospitals and health services within the northern suburbs.
"Professor Forbes' extensive clinical and non-clinical experience will be a great asset in ensuring the ongoing delivery of safe, high-quality, efficient and economical health services to the community."
