annual report 08-09 - Public Interest Advocacy Centre

community consultation in May 2008, told MHLSP workers that
their legal needs were simply not being met. It is hoped that
having Nancy at MDAA will overcome many of the barriers these
consumers face to accessing justice.
Comprehensive Evaluation
In conjunction with the development of the pilot projects and
training modules, PIAC has devised an evaluation strategy that
assesses individual consumer outcomes while also identifying
systemic barriers to justice. PIAC has engaged the consultancy
service, WestWood Spice, to work with PIAC staff, pilot project
partner services, the MHLSP Steering Committee and other key
stakeholders to formulate an evaluation strategy that is based on
action research methodology. In doing so, PIAC will capture rich,
reliable data at all points (consumer, service and systemic levels).
In addition, the evaluation strategy will allow for the opportunity
to revise and amend, if necessary, any of the pilot projects or
training modules.
Other Initiatives
The MHLSP continues to be involved in other initiatives to improve
access to justice for consumers. For example, the MHLSP consulted
with the Aboriginal community in Redfern and with members of
Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) in relation to the National
Human Rights Consultation.
Further, the MHLSP has established an Independent Mental Health
Advocacy (IMHA) Working Group to research the possibility of
establishing one or more independent mental health advocacy
pilot projects.
The MHLPS project workers gave papers throughout the year at
state and national conferences, including the National Community
Legal Centre Conference in Darwin, the 2008 National Disability
Advocacy Conference in Melbourne and at the Complex Needs
Conference at Kingscliff, NSW.
INQUESTS AND THE CORONER
PIAC continues to be involved in a number of Coronial Inquests
that raise matters of public interest.
PIAC has represented the families of inmates and detainees who
have committed suicide in custody. PIAC has also acted for the
families of individuals who have committed suicide after allegedly
being refused treatment or provided with inadequate treatment
by the public mental health system.
PIAC continues to monitor the implementation of
recommendations of the Coroner in 2006 in the matter of the death
in custody of Scott Simpson and to lobby the NSW Government
to implement the Coroner’s recommendations about segregation
orders and their effect on prisoners with a mental illness.
PIAC is currently representing the family of the late Jason
Szczepek who committed suicide after being refused admission to
Sutherland Hospital in 2006 following previous suicide attempts.
PIAC has requested that the Coroner make recommendations
to NSW Health about the need for more secure care options for
critically ill mental health patients. PIAC has also requested that
the Coroner make recommendations to NSW Health to implement
some of the recommendations of the ‘Tracking Tragedy’ reports
presented to the NSW Government between 2002 and 2007.
PIAC is also assisting family members in several other matters
relating to deaths in custody. One involves a man from a refugee
community who allegedly committed suicide in custody. Another
involves a man who died in immigration detention pending his
deportation.
PIAC continues to be actively engaged in pursuing Coronial
law reform. In particular, PIAC is currently lobbying for specific
legislative provisions in NSW mandating a response from
government to recommendations made by the Coroner.
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PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCACY CENTRE • ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009