- The Mental Health Commission has recommended experienced mental health professional, Professor Robert Bland AM lead a review into Wolston Park Hospital.
- The Mental Health Commission will continue to support people who have been involved in Wolston Park Hospital through their support services.
- The review will examine health services provided at Wolston Park Hospital between the 1950s and 1990s.
- It is expected to be completed by October 2025.
The Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman, announced a review regarding health services provided at Wolston Park Hospital between the 1950s and 1990s in August 2024.
The independent review will facilitate former patients/resident and family members or carers to describe their experiences during the period concerning their treatment and experience whilst at Wolston Park Hospital.
The Mental Health Commission recommended Professor Bland conduct a trauma-informed review and will continue to actively support the review.
Professor Bland is a social worker with extensive experience in mental health hospital and community settings, administration, teaching and research.
Professor Bland is known throughout the country as a pioneer and leader in the mental health field, having worked in mental health and academic settings since 1972. Utilising an independent lead reviewer will allow more time to be dedicated to hearing people’s stories.
Participation in the review will be voluntary and focused on truth telling over determining liability or assessing the truth of any participants’ experiences, or providing an assessment of care.
Professor Bland will prepare a report to the Department of Health and make any recommendations, including whether the full report can be released to the public.
People participating in the review will have a range of options for input into the review including written submissions and meeting with Professor Bland.
The review’s terms of reference and details of the report can be found at: Review into Wolston Park Hospital