State to take health action

THE State Government will act on the full recommendations of a damning report into the state's mental health sector, but it has ruled out any further inquiries into malpractice.

 Instead, Health and Human Services Minister David Llewellyn yesterday called on workers to come forward with "the courage of their convictions" to report further abuses.

But he did not offer further protection for whistleblowers.

Most of the changes recommended in the report on Ward 1E were already in motion, Dr Llewellyn said.

And the people named in the report -- including workers who had sex with patients -- have moved on or are being investigated.

He said it was unfortunate a small number of bad people had tarnished a sector of mostly loyal and hardworking professionals.

"If there are any more workers who are doing the wrong thing, it will take fellow workers to report them," he said.

"We will stomp down heavily on anyone who steps out of line in this area."

But advocacy groups say it is not just a few bad apples ruining the sector.

Advocacy Tasmania manager Ken Hardaker said a deep-seated culture within mental health nursing tolerated dehumanising and abusive behaviour throughout Australia.

With the comprehensive reports tabled in Parliament on Thursday, Mr Hardaker said he did not support calls for a royal commission or a similar inquiry.

"We know a lot about it now and we need to get on and fix them [the problems&$93;," he said.

Whistleblowers Australia spokeswoman Isla McGregor said the State Government belligerently refused to protect whistleblowers.

Instead the message was: if you blow the whistle you will never work here again, she said.

"We continue to receive a constant stream of allegations of the doctoring of reports, fraud and mismanagement in many government departments," she said.

"Many would-be whistleblowers fear the same treatment other high profile whistleblowers have received at the hands of the most punitive and secretive government in Tasmanian history."

Article from www.themercury.news.com.au