The closed system of the NSW Health Department's mental hospitals is getting exposure through the window of patient Saeed Dezfouli. It shows systemic abuse of dependent people cloaked as care.
It shows corruption, waste and power totally out of control. It shows hypocrisy and deceit so endemic to the system that it isn't questioned. It shows those entrusted with supervision and service provision in the mental health area, not interested beyond their own status and pay. The OUR PICK Report download highlights the problem and proposes a solution. Launch media release. Poster consumer consultation.
Saeed has appealed to the NSW Supreme Court about his treatment, but both Justice Health and the Mental Health Tribunal are fighting to prevent that exposure. Media release The Tribunal hearing transcript and reasons are here. Read how they respect patient care. Evidence for him is here. Affidavit Annex
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Saeed has had to fight for the use of his own name in his campaign. His right to an identity. The Health Department argued that it was protecting him, not itself. It was the ultimate in lies and didn't see how transperant it was. It went for hearing before the Tribunal on 30/9/10. Media release Health submission Saeed's submission.
Appeal media release Poster download Now they refuse him visitors who aren't "friends" defined by the Health Department as having physically touched him. Report (PDF 940KB)
On Thursday, 11/2/10, the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) had its compulsory six monthly review of Saeed at which a number of documents were tabled on his behalf. Downloadable here Saeed profile Right to Education Right to refuse medication Now this will be exposed in a Supreme Court challenge.
Saeed is in a unique position. He has watched the system from inside for eight years, and points out its hypocrisy, whilst Justice Health tries to crush him into submission with the rest. He is a gentle person never wanting to hurt anyone they agree he is non-violent, but every two weeks eight staff hold him down and inject him with a powerful sedative. And then he is held in the highest security area the Forensic Hospital. We became his Primary Carer when there was no-one else.
Saeed whistleblew on the Long Bay Hospitals new 18 hour lockdown policy in 2008, mobilised patients to protest, got support from the whole mental health industry and forced the transfer of the patients from prisons to the Health Department. Long Bay Lockdown He spoke on ABCTV Stateline YouTube link
Saeed is suffering because he won't shut up. Justice Health has absolute power. Patients have no finite sentence and are totally dependent on the treating psychiatrist. The principles of s.68 of the Act don't apply in practice. Mental Health Act The authority of the MHRT Forensic Provisions Act isn't applied. No one cares in this care system, charging the taxpayer $200,000 a year for Saeed, and $130m for the new privately financed Bay hospitals.
Complaints for Saeed:
* He is no threat to anyone and just needs support in the community after eight years isolated in a cell.
* They won't change his psychiatrist despite no communication - the chair of the MHRT laughed at this request.
* Forcibly injecting him.
* No access to education.
* No choice of association.
* No exercise.
* Tobacco removed.
* Justice Health refused two support people access to the MHRT hearing although it is a public hearing http://tinyurl.com/yaj47vh and previously a MPs policy adviser and support person were present.
* A promised comprehensive review was abandoned after the Health Minister was approached by Sylvia Hale MLC.
Consumer representation for those under the Health Department should be easy - a basic win-win opportunity paid by the taxpayer. In reality the weakness of the consumers and funding dependency of organisations means that no-one confronts government policy. On the Long Bay lockdown, on smoking and now patients' rights generally, no-one stands beside them.
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Mental Health 
