Our health services

About our health services

Justice Health NSW’s doctors, nurses and allied health staff care for more than 30,000 patients per year in NSW correctional centres, police cells, youth justice centres, inpatient settings and in the community. We also provide care to more than 40 per cent of the state’s forensic patients. 

The healthcare provided in custodial and forensic mental health settings is delivered to the same high standard you'd expect in the community, with a multidisciplinary team of qualified clinicians on-site to provide care to those who need it. 

Aboriginal health 

Our Aboriginal health services are focused on expanding Aboriginal health service delivery and improving health services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in custody and the forensic mental health system.

Pathways of care include: 

• Aboriginal Chronic Care – detecting and managing of chronic and complex health conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the custodial environment 
• Aboriginal Health Workers - prevention and management of chronic disease with emphasis on improving the patient journey from custody to community 
• Aboriginal Health Workers: Palliative Care – ensuring respectful and culturally appropriate end of life care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients through working collaboratively with clinicians, community-based service providers, patients and their families 
• Yamurrah Clinical and Cultural Supervision – empowering and uplifting our communities and those who may be working in the space of trauma, justice, health and education  
• Waminda Aboriginal Family Health Worker Service - providing women and their Aboriginal families an opportunity to belong and receive quality health and well-being support, with the aim to reduce family violence in Aboriginal families and communities.

Allied Health  

Our Allied Health services use practices with good evidence of effectiveness to prevent, diagnose and treat various conditions and illnesses. 

Our diverse range of Allied Health services are available to a wide number of centres. We work with other health care workers to provide specialised support to patients. This support includes:  

• optometry 
• physiotherapy 
• palliative occupational therapy 
• radiology 
• ultrasound 
• oral health 
• integrated care 
• psychology 
• social work 
• diversional therapy. 

Drug and alcohol 

Our drug and alcohol services are available across the state in various health centres. We provide treatment and support for people experiencing problems related to the use of substances such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, heroin and/or prescription medications. Some of the services we provide include: 

• Risk assessment and management of drug and alcohol intoxication and withdrawal. 
• Pharmacotherapy treatment options including Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone. 
• Expert drug and alcohol advice to best support pregnant women in custody. 
• Specialist court diversion programs, namely the Drug Court and Compulsory Drug Treatment Program. 
• Brief Interventions. 
• Post release support and ensuring continuity of care to the community. 
• Education.  

Mental health 

Our mental health services provide a crisis service, clinical management and psychiatry services for people with acute or serious mental health conditions. 

Our mental health services are available across a variety of centres. We conduct mental health assessments, provide psychiatric assessment and treatment as well as ongoing mental health care to patients in custody who are experiencing a serious or enduring mental illness.

An important part of our role is ensuring a smooth transition of care from and to community based mental health services. Our services include:  

• Mental Health Screening Unit – Silverwater Complex 
• Mental Health Unit – Long Bay Complex 
• forensic mental health 
• psychiatry 
• suicide prevention. 

We provide a free 24-hour Helpline for people in custody and their relatives. The line is operated by trained mental health nurses who can provide information, advice and referral to mental health services. The Helpline is available for adults in correctional centres, adolescent detainees, their relatives and carers, staff of the Network, Corrective Services NSW, and Local Health Districts. 

If you need free and confidential mental health support, call the Mental Health Helpline today on 1800 222 472.

^{The Mental Health Helpline of Justice Health NSW does not operate in respect of patients held at privately operated correctional facilities, including Parklea and Clarence Correctional Centres.}

Primary care 

Our primary care services support our patient’s health needs – from health promotion to disease prevention, treatment and more. 

Our primary care services are available across all centres and we continue to deliver safe, high quality reliable care for patients.

Our services include: 

• primary care 
• chronic care 
• general practice 
• adolescent health 
• aged care 
• women’s health 
• antenatal care 
• cancer care. 

Public sexual health 

Our public sexual health team are responsible for the delivery of specialised clinical services across the state. It encompasses screening for and management of, both blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections and the co-ordination of specialist Hepatitis and Immunology services.

Clinical services provision also includes co-ordinating the management of patients who report sexual assault. In line with Public Health Units in the community, health improvement initiatives that are specific to NSW custodial environment include: 

• health protection 
• disease prevention 
• surveillance 
• infection control 
• immunisation and vaccination 
• communicable diseases outbreak management 
• environmental health.