22 August 2023
The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist was pleased to receive an award at the Department for Correctional Services Merit Award Ceremony.
The partnership award acknowledged the Office work including assisting when people in custody have had high or complex needs, and the provision of training.
Mr David Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Department for Correctional Services presented the Award, the citation read:
The Office for the Chief Psychiatrist developed the first SA Health and Department for Correctional Services interface regarding the transfer of care for people in custody exiting prison requiring community mental health services.
Regular meetings are held with DCS and the Chief Psychiatrist with a focus on strategic discussions on key service development and improvement initiatives across DCS and SA
Health improvement as well as key operational interface issues that require Chief Psychiatrist oversight, review or intervention.
The Office for the Chief Psychiatrist team provide DCS with Authorised Officer Training and online learning programs.
This is an important partnership that continues to grow from strength to strength and we greatly appreciate the support we receive to manage people with complex mental health.
The ‘interface’ refers to the Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Continuity of Mental Health Care for People Exiting Prison which can be read on this website.
The Office acknowledges other programs and organisations that along with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist were recipients of 2023 Community Partnerships Awards at the ceremony: Service to Youth Council, Catherine House, BPD Co and Tiraapendi Wodli (Red Cross, Justice Reinvestment SA and DCS).