Forensic Consumer Representative Model Development Reference Group
MHCC has long highlighted the need for consumer participation, representation and advocacy on behalf of forensic patients.Forensic patients have access to official visitors ‘at their request,’ but this is limited due to time constraints.
Numerous meetings took place during 2006 – 2007 between MHCC and the Deputy Director General of NSW Health, Justice Health senior executives and the NSW Director of Forensic Mental Health, and the NSW Chief Psychiatrist to discuss how to proceed with this concept. Justice Health proposed that MHCC establish a reference group in order to make recommendations for the development of a model / policy for the establishment of forensic consumer advocacy roles in the new forensic hospital under construction on the Long Bay site. The reference group met bi-monthly for the entire year. MHCC consulted experts in the sector and researched models in Australia and Internationally. The submission was completed by June 2007, to be presented to Justice Health and the Executive in August 2007.