Dr Sophie Davidson has been appointed as Western Australia’s first Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Mental Health.
The McGowan Government established the new position of CMO, Mental Health within the Mental Health Commission to help strengthen its leadership role in the sector.
Reporting directly to the Mental Health Commissioner, Dr Davidson will contribute clinical expertise to strategic planning and policy development, strengthen consumer and community focused clinical care and liaised with non-government services to support system integration across WA’s public mental health, alcohol and other drug services.
The McGowan Government will also invest $24.4 million as part of the WA Recovery Plan to provide an additional 20 mental health beds at Fremantle Hospital and supplement funding for the existing 20-bed expansion.
The new unit will include a 10-bed older adult neurological behavioural unit, caring for patients with complex needs including neurological and psychiatric issues. There will also be a 10-bed adult ward, all single rooms with access to a courtyard.
Read more about the appointment of Dr Davidson
Read the media release about the increase in the provision of mental health beds