Page 1367 - Week 04 - Thursday, 5 May 2022
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(2) People in contact with the ACT justice system are a particularly vulnerable population group. As such, it is critical they are provided with health services that are accessible, effective, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and safe. Furthermore, these services need to be commensurate with what is provided in the community. Improving health outcomes for detainees and supporting them in transitioning back into the community is important from both a public health perspective and a criminal justice perspective. The recommendations made by the Auditor-General Michael Harris seek to strengthen strategic planning, record keeping, governance, care coordination and key performance indicators at the AMC.
(3) The AMC opened in 2008, which is a relatively new service in comparison to other jurisdictions. Taking this into account, as well as the multi-faceted complexities of justice health services, recent audits, and reviews, including the recent Auditor-General’s audit, have been beneficial in identifying opportunities to improve justice health service delivery and design. The Justice Health Strategy will seek to collaboratively improve health outcomes for detainees through interagency partnerships. Areas currently being explored include developing the model of care, establishing a policy function, strengthening governance structures and frameworks, driving improvement through strategic planning, enhancing care coordination and record keeping, increasing performance indicators, and developing training and research opportunities.
(4) The Justice Health Strategy is aiming to improve health outcomes for detainees and support them in transitioning back into the community. Canberra Health Services, ACT Health Directorate (ACTHD), including Winnunga, and Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) are all key stakeholders in the delivery of healthcare services within the ACT justice system, and as a result, interagency collaboration and consultation have commenced to address the Auditor-General’s recommendations
(5) Ultimately, the success of the Justice Health Strategy will be determined by improved health outcomes for detainees. Specific metrics relating to the Justice Health Strategy are currently being developed in consultation with key stakeholders. It is important to note that there are currently three accountability indicators, specific to Justice Health Services, that are associated with Output 1.2.
(6) There are many specific indicators currently in use to monitor the health of detainees at AMC. These include mental and physical health, as well as induction, risk assessment and blood borne virus health metrics. One of the accountability indicators associated with Output 1.2 is the Proportion of detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre with a completed health assessment within 24 hours of detention, to which Canberra Health Services met the target of 100 per cent in 2020-21. Additional key performance indicators (KPI’s) will be identified to improve health outcomes for detainees and enhance partnerships and governance of health service delivery in the custodial setting. Additional key performance indicators (KPI’s) will be identified to improve health outcomes for detainees and enhance partnerships and governance of health service delivery in the custodial setting.
(7) As previously stated, strategies that improve the provision of safe and high-quality care are core components of health services management. Further strategies that will form the Justice Health Strategy are currently being explored in response to the Auditor-General’s audit into the management of detainee mental health services at the AMC. Once consultations with key stakeholders have concluded, the Government Response due to the Legislative Assembly in July 2022, will be finalised. The Justice
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