235Enquiries, assessment and further care

235 Enquiries, assessment and further care

(1) The Secretary must make enquiries and assess how a resident's needs may best be met if the Secretary—

(a) receives a notification from the Regulator under section 233(2) or 234(2); or

(b) receives a report from the Regulator or an authorised officer that a resident of a supported residential service appears to be in need of health care, personal support or other care that the supported residential service is unable to provide.

(2) In exercising a function under subsection (1), the Secretary may request a report from a registered medical practitioner or other relevant health professional or care professional to inform the enquiry and assessment.

(3) A registered medical practitioner or other health professional or care professional who has prepared a report on request from the Secretary under subsection (2) is authorised to disclose the resident's personal or medical information to the Secretary to the extent necessary to enable an assessment to be made.

(4) If possible, the enquiry and assessment under this section must occur in consultation with the resident and the person nominated (if any).

(5) Following an assessment under this section, if the Secretary considers that further care should be provided to the resident, the Secretary must take appropriate steps to refer the resident to appropriate health professionals or care professionals.

(6) Without limiting subsection (5), steps taken by the Secretary may include arrangements to relocate the resident.

Division 6—Prohibited transactions and reportable transactions