Page 982 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
in the monitoring of detainees to deliver positive health outcomes for them; the capacity for custodial health staff to intervene effectively and therapeutically depends on appropriate access to information; and staff collaboration is central to managing custodial and health risks, especially those associated with suicide and self-harm.
The signing of the MOU was a positive occasion for Canberra Health Services, ACT Corrective Services and Winnunga. It provides all parties with the opportunity to come together as a team and, by signing these documents, strengthen the collaborative foundations for the integration of the provision of health care to detainees at the AMC. It is positive to confirm that staff of Winnunga have been present in the AMC since July 2018, developing protocols for the integrated service delivery.
As the minister for both corrections and justice health, it is exciting for me to advise the Assembly and the community that on 7 January 2019 Winnunga began to formally operate within the AMC, and on 18 January the first patient’s health care was transferred from justice health services to Winnunga. As of 15 March, 15 patients’ health care has been transferred to Winnunga.
The Moss implementation steering committee acknowledged that full implementation of recommendation 5 would take time. The committee also noted the parties’ genuine commitment to fully progress and implement this recommendation. In line with the recommendations from the Moss review, the government dedicated $8.2 million in the 2017-18 budget review for further integration of Winnunga into the health services at the AMC. This includes funding to enhance health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees, with the employment of a dedicated general practitioner and a social and emotional wellbeing support staff member.
The infrastructure of the AMC is also being upgraded to support the expanding health service. A $4 million capital fund will be used to increase service delivery space for detainees through the renovation of the Hume health centre. This renovation will include a new unit and the provision of temporary accommodation for the staff while the work is being done.
In addition to the expanded clinical space for the provision of holistic care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees, these commitments will also improve the flow and efficiency of the Hume health centre, boost the capacity of corrective services to support detainees requiring health services, and reduce waiting times for all detainees to access their healthcare needs.
It is recognised that Winnunga continues to play an important role in informing a best practice model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service delivery at the AMC, as well as in delivering services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaged in the ACT correctional system. This model is integral to a holistic model of care for service delivery in the AMC.
Detainees at the AMC have significant and complex health needs and require additional care. It is well evidenced that many detainees have not had the opportunity or willingness to address sometimes chronic illnesses that can be a substantial barrier to gainful employment or training and that can create burdens for their loved ones and families.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video