Forensic Mental Health Services
Forensic Services is a specialist service of Mental Health, Justice Health and Alcohol & Drug Services comprising four separate teams that provide mental health services in custodial and community settings.
These teams are:
- Forensic Court Assessment and Liaison Service,
- Alexander Maconochie Centre Mental Health Service,
- Bimberi Youth Justice Centre Mental Health Service, and
- Forensic Community Outreach Service.
Services are provided for young people and adults, who are already involved in the criminal justice system or at risk of becoming involved. Forensic Services is multidisciplinary service, with people having access to doctors, nurses, social workers and psychologists.
Forensic Services is guided by the National Statement of Forensic Principles - a set of 13 principles, endorsed by States and Territories across Australia. The aim of this team is to promote safety for mental health consumers and the community in general.
Services
- Forensic Community Outreach Services (FCOS)
The Forensic Community Outreach Services (FCOS) works with consumers of Mental Health Services who are in contact with law enforcement agencies (e.g. Police) as a result of aggressive or violent behaviour (actual or threatened). People do not need to have prior or current charges to be convicted of an offence.
This team completes comprehensive risk assessments for people with who community mental health teams are working with. These assessments guide community mental health staff on how best to meet the needs of individuals.
The Forensic Community Outreach Services(FCOS) provide consumer centered recovery planning that focuses on helping the person achieve wellness, establish meaningful connections in the community and avoid spending time in custody. Community safety is also an important goal.
Please select the website for further information on mental health services provided by ACT Health.Contact:
| Phone: | 02 6205 1551 |
| Fax: | 02 6205 1042 |
Opening Times:*
| Weekday: | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Website: http://health.act.gov.au/our-services/justice-health-services
- Court Assessment and Liaison Services (CALS)
The Forensic Court Assessment and Liaison Services accepts referrals from the ACT Law Courts and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. For a variety of reasons, Magistrates, Justices, and the Tribunal Board may ask clinicians to complete an assessment of a person. For example, they may be concerned about the mental health status of an individual, be unsure of a person’s fitness to plead, or want guidance on possible treatment options.
Clinicians in this team undertake comprehensive assessments and provide written reports for the court or tribunal. The reports are not released until a few days prior to the respective hearing. Even though the report is ‘owned’ by the referring agency, people can usually access a copy from their solicitor. Copies can also be accessed through release of information processes.
Clinicians in this team do not provide ongoing mental health care to individuals. However, they can refer people to community mental health teams for intervention and recovery planning, which is separate to court processes. In addition to asking for formal written court reports, the ACT Law Courts may also require on-the-spot verbal advice from mental health workers. In these cases court liaison officers are available to assist. This service is not open on weekends or public holidays.
Please select the website for further information on mental health services provided by ACT Health.Contact:
| Phone: | 02 6205 1551 |
| Fax: | 02 6205 1042 |
Opening Times:*
| Weekday: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Website: http://health.act.gov.au/our-services/mental-health
- Alexander Maconochie Centre Mental Health Services (AMC MHS)
The Alexander Maconochie Centre Mental Health Services(AMCMHS)provides specialist mental health services to people held in custody (remand or sentenced) at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. People remanded in custody are screened for mental health and risk issues on entry to the prison. People identified with a mental illness are provided ongoing care and support, and this includes release planning.
The team delivers a number of psychiatry clinics per week. Co-occurring drug and alcohol problems are also screened for. Individuals with mental illness are provided ongoing care and support by clinicians, who see individuals on a regular basis in the Hume Health Centre (a facility within the prison).
Interventions include medication, conversation therapies, and reconnection with significant others. Clinicians work with individuals, and their families or carers to prepare for life outside of the prison, and this can include linking people with a community mental health team or alcohol and drug program for ongoing care.
Primary health care, such as vaccinations, wound management, and blood tests; are provided by the Justice Health Program, which is also located in the Hume Health Centre.
This service is provided every day including weekends and public holidays. However contact may be made from external callers on weekdays only.
Please select the website for further information on mental health services provided by ACT Health.Contact:
| Phone: | 02 6205 1551 |
| Fax: | 02 6205 1042 |
Opening Times:*
| Weekday: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Website: http://health.act.gov.au/our-services/mental-health
- Bimberi Youth Justice Centre Mental Health Services (BMHS)
The Bimberi Youth Justice Centre Mental Health Services (BMHS)provides specialist mental health services to children and young people held in custody at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. Children and young people remanded in custody are screened for mental health and risk issues on entry to the Centre.
Co-occurring drug and alcohol problems are also screened for. Individuals with mental illness are provided ongoing care and support. There is a strong focus on early intervention activities. Clinicians are able to see individuals on a regular basis in the Health Services Building (facility within the centre). Interventions include medication, conversation therapies, and reconnection with significant others.
Clinicians are often involved in case conferences with key agencies, and families and carers. Release planning includes linking children and young people with community mental health teams or alcohol and drug programs for ongoing care.
Primary health care, such as vaccinations, wound management, and blood tests; are provided by The Justice Health Program, which is also located in the Health Services Building. This service is provided every day including weekends and public holidays. However contact may be made from external callers on weekdays only Please select the website for further information on mental health services provided by the ACT.Contact:
| Phone: | 02 6205 1551 |
| Fax: | 02 6205 1042 |
Opening Times:*
| Weekday: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Website: http://health.act.gov.au/our-services/mental-health
* These times are indicative only. Please call the service prior to your departure to confirm the availability. Please call ahead in after-hour periods or on public holidays. ACT Health attempts to provide accurate and up to date opening hours information for the public, however if you feel that this information is incorrect please contact the ACT Health Services Directory Administrator at HSD.Admin@act.gov.au to have this amended.
New Canberra Hospital visiting hours
Visiting hours at Canberra Hospital have changed to 0600 to 2100, except for Mental Health and the Alcohol & Drug Service.
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