[Greens-Media] MEDIA ALERT: 2.30pm tomorrow Parliamentary Forum to break the silence on police psychological injuries

[David Shoebridge]

2.30pm TOMORROW: Parliamentary Forum to break the silence on police psychological injuries



MEDIA ALERT
1 December 2014

A Parliamentary Forum will be held tomorrow to break the silence and highlight the need for urgent reform in how police with psychologically injuries are treated.



For too long politicians and the NSW Police have failed to confront the need to reform the treatment given to psychologically injured police. The toll of these injuries is felt not only by injured police, but their families and seriously impacts on the operational capacity of the NSW Police force.



WHEN: Tuesday 2 December 2014, 2.30pm-4.30pm.

WHERE: Theatrette, NSW Parliament, Macquarie Street, Sydney.

WHO: Injured police and affected family members, medical and legal experts and Greens MP David Shoebridge (full details below)



Greens MP and Justice spokesperson David Shoebridge said:


"We expect police to run towards danger and put their lives at risk for the public, and in return the public owes them a duty to stand by them and support them if they are injured.



"The Government has fundamentally failed to protect injured police from a bloody-minded insurer who's delay in deciding cases, along with their aggressive use of surveillance, can seriously aggravate an officer's psychological injury.



"My hope is that through this forum we will come some way in achieving justice for injured police." Mr Shoebridge said.



The full agenda for the forum is below.



If you wish to facilitate a media interview with any speakers or attendees, please contact our office and we would be more than happy to assist with these arrangements.



Media contact: David Shoebridge  0408 113 952 or 9230 3030



Parliamentary Forum on Police Psychological Injuries

Tuesday 2 December 2014

2.30 - 4.30 PM.

Theatrette, NSW Parliament, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000



Agenda

2.30 - 2.35pm:

Welcome and Introduction - David Shoebridge Greens MP



2.35 - 2.55pm:

Hearing from injured police officers, as well as their lawyers about their experience with post-traumatic stress and treatment from insurance companies

Injured police officer and John Cox (Slater and Gordon).

Injured police officer and Josh Mennen (Maurice Blackburn).



2.55pm - 3.15pm:

Panel discussion with medical professionals, two psychiatrists and one psychologist dealing with issues from a clinical perspective

Anne Lucas: Consultant Forensic Psychologist

Dr Greg Wilkins: Psychiatrist

Dr Hugh Morgan: Psychiatrist



3.15 - 3.35pm

Hearing from spouses of injured police officers on the impact PTSD has on injured police and their families and the need for support and prevention.

Kate

Deborah Bryant

3.35 - 4.25pm:

Q and A session: Where to with reform and support? Panel of Medical professionals & lawyers responding to questions and statements from attendees

To ensure that a variety of topics are covered and also allow for anonymity where sought we will request any questions or brief statements are provided beforehand or written down on a form provided during the forum.



4.25 - 4.30pm:

Closing - David Shoebridge Greens MP






David Shoebridge

Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council

P: (02) 9230 3030 T: @ShoebridgeMLC<http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc>

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NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street Sydney NSW, 2000 Australia