SA Prison Health Service Organisational Structure
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SAPHS
is responsible for the provision of a range of primary health care services to Prisoners in State managed adult prisons in South Australia.
SAPHS is a directorate of Central Adelaide Local Health Network and works in partnership with the Department for Correctional Services to provide health services to adults in custody.
SAPHS provides patients with health services appropriate to their ongoing health needs in line with that which they would receive in the general community within the public health system.
Health care is provided in collaboration with other health services within the correctional setting, including:
There are nine prisons located throughout South Australia, seven of which are State managed and two privately managed.
Health care services are provided within a predominantly primary care model which focuses on the provision of quality, contemporary and equitable health care across the spectrum of health needs. Health care is provided at all sites 7 days a week.
SA Prison Health Service provides direct patient care at the following prisons:
Adelaide Pre-release Centre
Adelaide Women’s Prison
Cadell Training Centre
Mobilong Prison
Port Augusta Prison
Port Lincoln Prison
Yatala Labour Prison
Adelaide Remand Centre (ARC) – Health Centre is privately managed by Serco and Mt Gambier Prison is privately managed by G4s
The South Australian Prison Health Service (SAPHS) provides primary health services to adults in state run correctional facilities in South Australian.
We do this through:
monitoring, assessment and intervention
prompt and effective treatment at a community standard of care
prevention and early detection measures
comprehensive health education
continuity of care in the community via collaboration with local health care providers.
MATOD assessment occurs when you first come into prison and are already on a MATOD program or withdrawing from opioids.
MATOD assessment for the pre-release program can occur once you have a confirmed discharge date.
MATOD assessment does not guarantee a place on the program and the Drugs of Dependence Unit is the authorizing agent for the program.
MATOD will only help you if you are dependent on opioids.
Care for an emergency happens in the following ways:
If a person is unwell , they can ask for assistance by pressing the call button in the cell and ask for assistance
Health service staff will either come to your cell or ask you to come to the clinic
In an emergency situation you will initially treated by DCS/SAPHS, and can then be referred and transported either by SA Ambulance or DCS to the local hospital for assessment/treatment.
“We will listen to your concerns”
SAPHS has in place a procedure that allows for a carer or family member to let SAPHS know if there are concerns about the physical or mental health of a person in custody.
If you are worried about a family member in the community contact DCS/SAPHS who can assist your with your concerns.
tell the DCS officer at the gate you are concerned about a person you have just visited.
contact the health service by calling the prison and pressing the health centre number when prompted and ask to speak to nursing staff
after hours you can contact DCS officers at the prison.
your legal representative can also contact either SAPHS or DCS with concerns.
to provide confidential information to others a Release of Information Authority will be required.
the Nurse Unit Manager at the site
use the complaint form at the site
write to the SAPHS Director at PO Box 255, Marden SA 5070.
contact the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner. Free call within prison or call 1800 232 007.
contact the SA Ombudsman.
if the complaint relates to a Registered Health Practitioner i.e. a Nurse, Physiotherapist, Doctor, Dentist, Podiatrist etc. you can make a complaint to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
an advance care directive (please provide a copy if you have one)
Financial Power of Attorney
a Will
If a patient is in prison, they can sign a release of information that will allow health staff to share information with only those people the patient permits.
The Model of Care sets out the principles and practices needed to ensure culturally appropriate, holistic and safe healthcare in the state’s prison system for the significant population of Aboriginal prisoners. The focus is on building the system within prisons that effectively identifies and treats acute and chronic conditions that often compound disadvantage and potentially compromise successful rehabilitation and release.
An important component of the Model of Care is to enhance the skills, knowledge and understanding of corrections and prison health staff, to ensure delivery of culturally safe services that meet the health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal prisoners.
The Model of Care for Aboriginal Prisoner Health and Wellbeing in South Australia is underpinned by research conducted by the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit in the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). The Model of Care was developed in collaboration with the SA Prison Health Service, the Department for Correctional Services, non-government organisations and, importantly the Aboriginal community.
The executive summary and full report is available via the SAHMRI website
SA Prison Health Service offers opportunities in a broad range of careers including Registered and Enrolled Nurse, Medical Practitioners and administrative support staff. . Potential employees have the opportunity to work within a correctional environment or a corporate office environment. Our staff are part of a dedicated team working towards achieving vital health outcomes for the prisoner populations.
All positions are advertised on the SA Health Careers website.
Central office, Monday to Friday 8am till 4:30pm
Telephone: (08) 7002 3100
Fax: (08) 7002 3199
Postal: PO Box 255, Marden, SA, 5070
Email: HealthSAPHSCorporateTeam@sa.gov.au