Page 983 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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I have taken a strong interest in ensuring the timely provision of health care and, in particular, dental care to all detainees. It is my hope that over time, as Winnunga and justice health services grow, we can be sure detainees are leaving in better health than when they came into the AMC. This supports a healthier community for all of us, and reduces the burden on existing waiting times in the AMC.
With the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees at the AMC, there is a clear need to continue to integrate Winnunga to provide a holistic approach to health care at the AMC in a culturally safe way. Increased participation by Winnunga in delivering health services to detainees at the AMC also supports the government’s goal to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. Since the implementation of Winnunga into the AMC, the senior management staff of justice health services, ACT Corrective Services and Winnunga meet weekly to collaboratively work through issues of the implementation.
Further to this, a formal governance structure to monitor, review and manage the successful implementation of integrated healthcare provision at the AMC has been established. The governance structure is a tiered approach, ensuring the different elements of the implementation can be appropriately addressed. The first senior governance group met on 1 February this year. This group has been established to discuss clinical and operational issues and comprises senior representatives from government and from Winnunga’s clinical team. The group will meet monthly to collaboratively go through clinical and operational concerns with the intention of seeking resolution to the satisfaction of all parties.
An implementation steering committee comprising the CEO of Canberra Health Services, the Director-General of JACS and the CEO of Winnunga has also been established, recognising the importance of this partnership. This committee will oversee the successful implementation of the integrated health service, including to monitor and review the MOU and supporting schedules.
I am pleased to confirm that the ACT government has been able to take such strong and positive steps to implement Moss review recommendation 5. I again commend the work done by Canberra Health Services, ACT Corrective Services and Winnunga on the integration of Winnunga into the provision of health care at the AMC. I look forward to updating the Assembly on this important and groundbreaking initiative again in due course.
I present a copy of the statement:
Winnunga Model of Care at the Alexander Maconochie Centre—Implementation—Ministerial statement, 21 March 2019.
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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