Page 1346 - Week 04 - Thursday, 12 April 2018
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The new Winnunga model of care will provide for better continuation of health care for detainees when they enter custody and on their return to the community. The $4.3 million which is pledged over three years will enhance health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees, with the employment of a dedicated GP and social and emotional wellbeing support staff.
It will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees with greater choice about their health care, as they will have the option to access health services from either Winnunga or ACT Health. It will also provide improved cultural awareness and understanding for detainees and staff at the AMC. Winnunga have already been working with female detainees, and we look forward to their moving to further delivery of standalone health, social and emotional wellbeing services at the AMC throughout 2018.
This initiative also encompasses a $4 million capital fund for the design and procurement of a new health unit at the Hume Health Centre at the AMC and the construction of temporary accommodation in the meantime. The additional office space for 25 staff that will be provided as a result of this funding will increase health service delivery space to support the improved delivery of health services for detainees.
The construction of the new Winnunga AMC health centre is expected to reach completion by October this year. In addition to providing holistic care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees, these commitments will improve the flow and efficiency of the Hume Health Centre, boost escort services and reduce waiting times for all detainees to access their healthcare needs.
The ACT government is committed to continuing to improve the wellbeing and rehabilitation of detainees at the AMC. Our investment through this year’s budget review supports this commitment and will help to meet the health demands of detainees into the future.
The budget review also provides for enhanced security at the AMC. A recent internal review commissioned by the Justice and Community Safety Directorate has made a number of recommendations highlighting the need to improve operational security at the AMC. In response to this review, the government is dedicating $8.8 million over four years to address the recommendations. This commitment will strengthen AMC leadership through the appointment of three new functional management positions for security, accommodation and offender management.
Detainees’ needs will be better served, with two new specialist staff overseeing the management of services for females and Indigenous detainees respectively. A dedicated onsite trainer and new mandatory training requirements in first aid and mental health first aid will enhance staff skill and efficacy.
Intelligence operations at the AMC will be reshaped, with the introduction of a centralised intelligence unit to implement an intelligence cycle across both community and custodial corrections. This new unit will comprise three non-custodial
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