Annual Report 2004-2005 - Forensicare

Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Annual Report 2004/2005

Contents
Our Organisation 1
2004-2005 – The Year in Review 2-6
Our Growth 7
Chairman’s Report 8
Chief Executive Officer’s Report 9
Clinical Services 12
Reports Clinical Director 13
Director of Psychological Services 14
Director of Nursing Practice 15
Inpatient Services Thomas Embling Hospital, Prison Services 16
Community Forensic Mental Health Service 20
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical Programs 22
Professional Education and Research 24
Professional Education 25
Research 29
Corporate Support and Development 32
Corporate Services 33
Legal Services 37
Business Support 38
Environmental Management 41
Corporate Governance 44
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health Council 45
Organisational Chart 49
Management Team 50
Legislative Compliance 51
Our People 52
Financial Performance 54
Financial Overview 55
Certification 58
Auditor-General’s Report 59
Financial Statements 60
Statement of Corporate Intent 76
Glossary 78
Disclosure Index 79
Index 80
As in previous years, photographs in this Annual Report show Forensicare staff
in their daily work environment. Staff have however asked not to be named
individually, and we respect their wishes. We are proud of our staff and thank them
for their assistance and willingness to be photographed.
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield 3078
Tel 61 3 9495 9100 Fax 61 3 9495 9190
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
ABN 32 807 323 885 ISSB 1442-990X
The Annual Report and Annual Research Report are available on the website -
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au

Our Vision
….. to become an international centre of excellence in understanding and treating
mental disorders associated with criminal behaviour.
Our Mission
….. to provide effective mental health services in a safe and secure environment to
people who have both a mental disorder and a history of criminal offending or who
present a serious risk of such behaviour.
Our Objectives
We are committed to …..
• improving outcomes for people with a mental disorder in the criminal justice
system.
• reducing the burden of mental illness in the criminal justice system.
• contributing to the delivery of public mental health services.
Our Organisation
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, known as Forensicare, was established
as a statutory agency in 1997 to provide forensic mental health services to adults in
Victoria. These services are required to meet the needs of mentally disordered offenders,
the mental health and justice sectors and the community. While we primarily focus on
providing clinical services, which includes the effective assessment, treatment and
management of forensic patients and clients, we also undertake research, training and
professional education. The Institute is governed by a Council that reports to the Minister
for Health and is structured to provide –
• Clinical Services – consisting of Inpatient, Prison and Community programs
• Professional Education and Research – our Academic Unit, together with Research
and Professional Education programs
• Corporate Support and Development – Administration and Support, Advice
and Planning, Development, Consultancy Services and Communication.
Our Legislation
• Mental Health Act 1986 – the Act that establishes the Institute and governs
our responsibilities
• We also provide services under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness
to be Tried) Act 1997, Corrections Act 1986 and the Sentencing Act 1991.
Our Clinical Operations
• Thomas Embling Hospital – a 100 bed, secure inpatient hospital located in Fairfield.
• Prison Mental Health Service – consisting of a 16-bed Acute Assessment Unit,
specialist clinics, outpatient services and a reception assessment program at
Melbourne Assessment Prison, together with a consultant psychiatric service
to the larger state-managed prisons.
• Community Forensic Mental Health Service – providing four specialist community
programs – Community Forensic Mental Health Program, Court Services, Problem
Behaviour Program and the Jardine Transition Program.
The Highs and Lows of 2004-2005
✔ Hosting the successful 5th Annual
Conference of the International
Association of Forensic Mental Health
Services in Melbourne on 18-20 April
2005 (page 34).
✔ Achieving a full complement of nursing
staff (until April 2005), in contrast to
most of the mental health sector
(page 16).
✔ Ongoing development and completion
of the first stage of training of the
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical
Programs project (pages 16, 20,
22-23).
✔ Enhancement of security at Thomas
Embling Hospital with the adoption of
the Iris Identification System to monitor
entry and exit (page 36).
✔ No significant security incidents during
the year (page 36).
✔ Commencement of the Jardine
Transition Program to assist forensic
patients in their transition to community
living (page 21)
✔ Receiving a Gold Award for the Annual
Report 2003-2004 in the Australasian
Reporting Awards (page 10).
✔ A sound financial performance resulting
in a small surplus at years end (pages
2, 55).
✘ Impact of meeting increased demand
from Victorian courts for reports (page
38).
✘ Critical and growing lack of capacity to
meet the secure inpatient needs of the
criminal justice and health systems
(pages 9, 38).
1

2004-2005 The Year in Review
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health Council and the Department of
Human Services approved a budgeted
$3.073 million deficit for Forensicare
for 2004-2005. It was therefore, a
considerable achievement to deliver a
significantly better result, with a $0.9
million deficit (see below, and the 2004-
2005 Financial Statements, pages 60-75).
This included depreciation of $1.232
million, which is provided for separately by
Government, via capital payments in
response to submissions by Forensicare. No
Capital Funds were provided to Forensicare
by the Department of Human Services for
the 2004-2005 financial year.
Forensicare’s financial performance is
usually assessed by the operating result
before capital purpose income and
depreciation. This is because Government
recurrent funding for Forensicare is not
intended to pay for the replacement of
Forensicare buildings or major capital
equipment items. The inclusion of capital
grants and depreciation in the overall
operating result would therefore distort any
assessment of financial performance.
Importantly though, the result reflects the
experience and dedication shown by our
managers and staff who retained a focus
on their budget, while continuing to strive
to provide better care to our patients.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
AGAINST BUDGET PLAN
The deficit budget approved for Forensicare
for the 2004-2005 fiscal year excluded
capital income and depreciation of $1.786
million. There was a requirement however,
that strategies be implemented by
Forensicare’s Executive to improve the
organisation’s financial performance. The
final outcome of a $0.327 million surplus
is a significant improvement on budget plan.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
The turnaround in financial performance of $1.462m is attributable to the following –
• High Rate in the Retention of Nursing Staff
During the reporting period, Forensicare was successful in retaining close to a full
establishment of nursing (see page 16). Given that nursing is 64% of Forensicare’s
total workforce profile, the financial savings resulting from a reduction in employee
turnover represents one of the single largest reduction in costs to Forensicare in the
current reporting period.
• Financial Deficit Management Plan
As a result of organisational-wide concerns about declining financial performance,
Forensicare’s Council and management reviewed expenditure in the 2003-2004
financial year. The issues raised and the recommendations arising from this review
were largely accepted by Council and were implemented in the later half of 2003-
2004. The full effects of this review have contributed to improving the financial
performance of Forensicare.
• Tight Control Over Staff Replacement Costs
Following from a process commenced in the previous year, a structured staff
replacement program, covering planned and unplanned leave, was introduced in
2004-2005. The program utilised a mix of full-time, part-time and casual staff
(utilising overtime or casual rates) and minimal agency staff, to replace absentee staff.
• Additional Sources of Revenue
Forensicare increased revenue from sources other than the Department of Human
Services and Corrections Victoria by 64% ($0.431m) in 2004-2005. The majority
of this funding is not recurrent and we will need to continue to be proactive in finding
additional revenue streams in the coming financial year.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF OPERATING REVENUES AND EXPENDITURE
Year 04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01% Change 00/01
$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 – 04/05
Total Revenue 32,593 30,071 30,130 27,202 24,904 ↑30.9%
Total Expenses 33,498 31,924 29,592 26,848 24,207 ↑38.4%
Net Operating Result
(b/f abnormals) (905) (1,853) 538 718 697 ↓229.8%
Total Assets 47,408 41,232 43,221 40,604 37,554 ↑26.2%
Total Liabilities 5,949 5,089 5,225 3,128 3,772 ↑57.7%
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATING RESULT
2004 – 2005 Operating Result
2003 – 2004 Operating Result
2002 – 2003 Operating Result
-2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.25 0.50 1.0
$M
*Result after capital and depreciation
*Result before capital and depreciation
2
*Measuring Forensicare Financial Performance
Forensicare’s financial performance is usually assessed by the operating result before capital purpose
income and depreciation. This is because Government recurrent funding for Forensicare is not intended
to pay for the replacement of Forensicare buildings or major capital equipment items. The inclusion of
capital grants and depreciation in the overall operating result therefore distorts any assessment of
financial performance.

COMPOSITION OF REVENUE
FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF DEBTORS BY CATEGORY
2,500,000
04/05 03/04 02/03
% $’000 % $’000 % $’000
Service Agreement - Dept of Human Services 86% 28,233 87% 26,347 86% 25,777
Service Agreement - Dept of Justice 7% 2,435 8% 2,338 7% 2,290
Service Agreement - Care Plan Assessments Victoria 1% 348 1% 301 0%
Investments 1% 233 1% 187 1% 238
Contracted Services 2% 492 2% 610 1% 461
Other Revenues 3% 853 1% 288 2% 574
Capital 0% 0% 3% 788
Due to changes in reporting, only three years comparative information is available.
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
0
04/05 03/04
02/03
01/02 00/01
Trade Debtors
Dep’t Human Services - Employee Entitlements
Note - The Department of Human Services debt is primarily related to employee entitlements (long
service leave) - see Financial Statements, note 1(o) Indirect Contributions and note 2 (Statement
of Understanding and Service Agreement). Trade Debtors consist of amounts owing by a range
of businesses/agencies for services rendered by Forensicare.
THE YEAR IN BRIEF - DELIVERING OUR SERVICES
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001 Change
2000-2001
- 2004-2005
Thomas Embling Hospital
Number of beds 100 beds 100 beds 80 beds to Oct. 2002 80 beds 75 beds to Oct. 2000
then increase to 100 then increase to 80
Occupied bed days 36,293 36,356 33,577 28,616 27,019 ↑34.3 %
Occupancy rate 99.12% 99.4% 97.29% 98.4% 94.7% ↑4.7%
Number of admissions 146 149 142 175 154 ↓5.2%
Number of separations 137 147 119 170 144 ↓4.9%
Number of reports prepared for Victorian courts 109 111 120 120 62 ↑75.8%
Community
Number of client contacts 16,497 15,325 16,331 13,288 11,758 ↑40.3%
Number of reports prepared for Victorian courts 328 355 372 274 245 ↑33.9%
Number of assessments performed
for public mental health services 254 191 138 77 63 ↑303%
Prison
Number of reception assessments 3,886 3,568 3,885 4,014 3,828 ↑1.5%
Referrals for psychiatric assessments (incl. Psych.
Consultants, Psych. Registrars, Psych. Outpatients) 5,661 4,689 3,169 2,893 1,728 ↑227.6%
Number of reports prepared for Victorian courts 199 190 197 145 142 ↑37.2%
3

2004-2005 The Year in Review
SUMMARISING THE YEAR 2002-2003 – REPORTING AGAINST OUR OBJECTIVES
Under the Mental Health Act 1986 (s117O), Forensicare is
required to prepare an annual Corporate Plan for the Minister for
Health. The Corporate Plan must include the initiatives to be
undertaken in the coming year, together with performance
measures.
The key initiatives established for 2004-2005 are detailed below,
together with a summary of our achievements, a profile of future
developments and a self-assessment of our performance in respect
to each initiative during the year.
Initiatives Achievements Performance The Future
Clinical Services
• Thomas Embling Hospital
Continue the implementation of
strengthened clinical programs to
effectively address co-occurring
disorders and offending behaviour.
Extensive development and initial
implementation commenced –
significant changes to clinical practice
initiated and all clinical staff
participated in training on ‘Offending
Issues’ (page 16).
✣
Implementation will continue across the
organisation in 2005-2006.
Introduce an advanced biometric iris
identification system to strengthen
movement control and entry and exit at
Thomas Embling Hospital.
The Iris Identification System
commenced operating at Thomas
Embling Hospital on 31 August 2004,
strengthening the level of security
operating at the hospital (page 36).
✔
Enhancements to the Iris Identification
System will be made in 2005-2006,
based on the results of the postimplementation
review and survey
conducted with staff.
Refine and further develop initiatives
that strengthen our capacity to recruit
and retain nursing staff.
Implement a Carer Participation Plan.
Community
Forensicare was in a strong position with
a full psychiatric nursing profile until
early 2005. The statewide shortage of
psychiatric nurses has recently begun to
impact on the organisation, and we are
reviewing our recruitment strategies to
ensure that the impact of the psychiatric
nursing shortage is minimised within
Forensicare (page 16).
The Carer Participation Plan was
endorsed by the Family Sensitive
Practice Committee and implemented
across Thomas Embling Hospital (page
16).
✣
✔
The impact of the statewide shortage of
psychiatric nursing staff on our staffing
levels will continue to be closely
monitored. New strategies will need to
be developed to ensure that we are well
placed to regain a full nursing
complement.
The needs of carers will remain an
important component of our service
delivery framework. Strategies for
participation will be maintained and
enhanced.
Continue the implementation of
strengthened clinical programs to
effectively address co-occurring
disorders and offending behaviour.
See above under Thomas Embling
Hospital (page 20).
✣
Implementation will continue across the
organisation in 2005-2006.
Commission the Jardine Transition
Program.
Work in collaboration with Spectrum to
assist their provision of an intensive
case management service to their highrisk
patients with a significant offending
history who present with challenging
behaviours.
The Jardine Transition Program was
commissioned in August 2004, and
at 30 June 2005 there were 9 clients
participating in the program (page 21).
A collaborative working arrangement has
been developed between Forensicare and
SPECTRUM (the statewide personality
disorder service), and 3 highly complex
clients have been managed in
conjunction with SPECTRUM over the
past year (page 20).
✔
✔
The Jardine Transition Program will
provide ongoing transitional
accommodation.
The collaborative arrangement with
SPECTRUM is ongoing, and will be
enhanced as required.
4

Initiatives Achievements Performance The Future
Implement a Carer Participation Plan.
The Carer Participation Plan was
endorsed by the Family Sensitive Practice
Committee and implementation within
Community Forensic Mental Health
Service has commenced (page 20).
✣
Further strategies to engage carers will
be developed and implemented in
2005-2006.
Professional Education and Research
Under the auspice of the Research
Committee, undertake research on –
• the effectiveness and impact of the
Crimes (Mental Impairment and
Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997
• risk management and risk
management tools
• stalkers and their victims
• arson
• problem gambling
• threats to kill
• sex offending, including the use of
child internet pornography
• the role of nursing in improving
mental health outcomes and
evidence based psychiatric nursing
practice
• substance abuse and mental illness
Identified research projects commenced
and ongoing. As a result of ongoing
research, 19 journal articles, books
or chapters in books were published.
All research projects are detailed on
pages 29-31, and in our Annual
Research Report to Council, (also
available on our website –
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
✣
The research program will continue as
an integral and ongoing component of
Forensicare.
Provide quarterly specialized training
to rural and metropolitan area mental
health services.
A total of 23 specialised training sessions
were provided to area mental health
services during the year (page 25).
✔
Specialised training will continue to be
provided on request to area mental
health services.
Continue to develop and deliver
a program that promotes an
understanding of mental impairment
and the law within the legal profession.
Seminars on mental impairment were
presented to the Law Institute of
Victoria and the Criminal Bar
Association, and tours of Thomas
Embling Hospital were conducted
regularly throughout the year for 16
Judges and their Associates and
Magistrates (page 38).
✣
Ongoing strategies will be adopted to
ensure that the legal profession
maintains an understanding of the legal
issues impacting on Forensicare.
Corporate Support and Development
Develop a proposal examining the
development and early commissioning
of a combined secure extended
care/medium secure forensic hospital
(with proposed 100 bed capacity).
The proposal has been developed and
discussed with the Department of
Human Services during the year.
Funding will be sought for the new
facility during 2005-2006 (page 33).
✣
The demand for secure forensic mental
health inpatient services from the
criminal justice system will continue to
increase. The need to provide additional
beds will remain a high priority.
Develop a proposal for a staged
expansion of Community Forensic
Mental Health Services, to meet the
forecast growth in demand for specialist
forensic services for high-risk
patients/clients.
A staged expansion of Community
Forensic Mental Health Services was
discussed with the Department of
Human Services and a firm proposal is
currently being prepared for consideration
by the Department (page 34).
✣
The increasing demand for services from
Forensicare impacts not only on our
inpatient service, but our community
program. The proposal outlining a
staged expansion of our community
services will be the basis of a funding
submission during 2005-2006.
Finalise a Five Year Plan providing
a developmental framework for the
Institute in 2004-2008, and gain the
support of the Department of Human
Services and Department of Justice for
the plan.
Implementation of the Five Year Plan
continued during the year, and the
majority of initiatives detailed in the
Plan had been put in place at 30 June
2005 (page 34).
✔
Implementation of the high cost
initiatives, the most significant being
the proposed new medium secure
hospital, await Government decisions
on funding.
✔ Implemented
✣
In progress/part implemented
5

Initiatives Achievements Performance The Future
Continue the development of
organisational and clinical benchmarks
with other forensic jurisdictions,
including the Institute of Psychiatry,
UK.
The developmental work continued
and the first set of data against the
indicators was finalised. The three
states participating in the collection
of data met in May 2005 (page 36).
✣
The work is ongoing, with further data
collection to be undertaken. This work
will assist in the progressing of the new
Commonwealth-lead forensic mental
health benchmarking initiative.
Develop and establish an accredited
tertiary training program in forensic
mental health for specialist clinicians
and those in area mental health
services, corrections, law, teaching,
child protection and juvenile justice.
A framework for a staged academic
program, beginning with the curriculum
development for a 12 month certificate
course and incorporating an advanced
diploma and Masters Degree, was
finalised during the year (page 34).
✣
It is expected that the Certificate Course
will be offered through Monash
University and Forensicare in the 2006
academic year.
Negotiate with the Department of
Human Services and Monash
University regarding the establishment
of a Victorian Centre for Forensic
Mental Health Training and Research.
Negotiations with Monash University
regarding the establishment of an
academic Centre for Forensic
Behavioural Science training and
research commenced and informal
agreement has been obtained with
Monash University for creation of this
body in 2005-2006 (page 34).
✔
Subject to finalising agreements with
the Department of Human Services and
Monash University, the new Centre will
be established in 2005-2006.
Co-host (together with the International
Association of Forensic Mental Health
Services) the 5th Annual Conference of
the International Association of Forensic
Mental Health Services in Melbourne in
April 2005.
The International Association of
Forensic Mental Health Services
Conference was held in Melbourne on
18-20 April 2005. The Conference was
highly successful, attracting 400
participants from around the world
(page 34)
✔
The planning of future conferences will
be considered by Forensicare in terms
of our ongoing commitment to
advancing knowledge of forensic mental
health.
Examine service options in relation to
provision of services, including services
for –
• victims
• victims/families/carers of
mentally ill offenders.
Forensicare has established a Victims
Services portfolio, headed by an
experienced forensic psychologist. This
new program will work closely with the
Victims Support Agency (Department of
Justice), to provide high level support
and specialist assistance to service
providers across Victoria (page 35)
✔
The development of this program and
other service options will be ongoing.
Subject to required funding, implement
an Environmental Sustainability
Strategy throughout the organisation.
Although we were unable to achieve
the level of funding required to fully
implement our Environmental
Sustainability Strategy, specific
initiatives were developed and
implemented (pages 41-43)
✣
Funding will continue to be pursued
to enable our detailed Environmental
Sustainability Strategy to be fully
implemented across the organisation.
Develop and establish the evaluation
component of the Jardine Transition
Program.
The 3 month evaluation of the program
was completed and terms of reference
are currently being developed for the
12 month evaluation (page 21).
✔
The 12 month evaluation of the
program will commence in September
2005.
✔ Implemented
✣
In progress/part implemented
“
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ………
While supervising the Graduate and Post Graduate Nurses, the Clinical Nurse
Educator became aware that the practice of when a student nurse could
administer medication unsupervised at Forensicare varied from unit to unit.
A medication competency assessment was subsequently developed and
implemented across all units. This assessment standardises the skill level to be
demonstrated by Graduate and Post Graduate Nurses to administer medication
unsupervised in the hospital and increases the level of patient care.
6

LOOK HOW WE HAVE GROWN…
As an organisation, Forensicare has experienced significant
growth in the seven years since our inception as a statutory
authority, and in the five years since the opening of the
Thomas Embling Hospital. Seven years ago, forensic mental
health services were provided by the Department of Human
Services, and Forensic Services was a small operational
unit located within the Mental Health Branch. We had a
small community program, and our inpatient services
consisted of 58 beds in aged units located within the Mont
Park complex at Rosanna.
While we initially concentrated our attention on the
commissioning and bedding down of the Thomas Embling
Hospital (opened in April 2000) and on the establishment
of our new organisation, we have continued to provide
a broad and increasing range of services without any
substantial increase in resources. This profile demonstrates
our service level activities over the last five years – the
trends are self-evident.
Forensicare has not been spared the service demand
pressures experienced by our general mental health
colleagues in recent years. Since 2002, we have
endeavoured to respond to the demand pressures in a
strategic manner, and as an integral component of Victoria’s
public mental health service. We began re-directing
resources, both clinical and training, to area mental health
services, while at the same time, focussing our efforts
on systems improvements to optimise our service
responsiveness to demands from the criminal justice system.
There is little sign that the service demand will not continue
to grow. We will continue to strive for improved productivity,
while developing and managing our services in a manner
which adds value and maximises resource utilisation. We
are quickly reaching a point however, where maintaining
current service levels, let alone facilitating growth, is posing
difficulties. In the absence of additional resources and
service system enhancements, the current situation is not
sustainable.
Number of prisoners seen
Thomas Embling Hospital – Occupied Bed Days
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
1998 -
1999
1999 -
2000
Occupied bed days
2000 -
2001
2001 -
2002
Prison Mental Health Service –
Melbourne Assessment Prison
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2000 -
2001
2001 -
2002
2002 -
2003
2002 -
2003
2003 -
2004
2003 -
2004
Reception Assessments
Referrals for mental health care and treatment
* number of client contacts funded by Department of Human Services since
2002-2003 – 13,900.
2004 -
2005
Total possible occupied bed days
Community Forensic Mental Health Service –
Client Contacts*
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
1998 -
1999
1999 -
2000
2000 -
2001
Reports Prepared for Courts
2001 -
2002
2002 -
2003
2003 -
2004
2004 -
2005
2004 -
2005
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2000 -
2001
2001 -
2002
2002 -
2003
2003 -
2004
2004 -
2005
Note – this excludes reports prepared for the Office of Public Prosecutions,
Adult Parole Board, Community Corrections and area mental health services.
Assesments Performed for Area Mental Health
Services and Other Agencies
400
300
200
100
Thomas Embling Hospital, Forensicare’s 100-bed secure
inpatient facility, was opened in April 2000.
0
2000 -
2001
2001 -
2002
2002 -
2003
2003 -
2004
2004 -
2005
7

Chairman’s Report
It is pleasing to be able to report another
year of considerable activity and
achievement for the Victorian Institute of
Forensic Mental Health. The achievements
range from the whole of organisation
developments in respect of the
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical
Programs (CSCP) project, to area specific
achievements, such as the commencement
of the Jardine Transition Program and the
successful International Conference of
Forensic Mental Health Services held in
Melbourne in April.
The forensic mental health environment is
complex and often presents clinicians and
management with competing demands
emanating from the criminal justice and
mental health areas respectively. Our aim,
as ever, is to ensure that people with a
serious mental illness in the criminal justice
system are not discriminated against as a
result of their illness and are able to access
the specialist clinical services they require.
We have been able to deliver higher
performance levels and keep within our
budgetary constraints. Management are to
be congratulated on achieving this result.
Members of Council are always impressed
by the level of dedication, energy and
enthusiasm of our staff. The team effort
behind developing and presenting the
hundreds of hours of training as the first
stage of the CSCP project was
commendable.
We would like to thank Michael Burt, our
Chief Executive Officer, and his senior
management team, together with our
Clinical Director and Director of
Psychological Services for their leadership
displayed during the year. It was
particularly rewarding to observe the
esteem in which our staff are regarded by
their colleagues, both nationally and
internationally, at the International
Conference of Forensic Mental Health
Services.
Our staff, both clinical and administrative,
demonstrate commitment and high level
professional skills. With the skill set of our
staff, members of Council and I look
forward with confidence to the coming year.
Jim Kennan, SC
Chairman
8

Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Forensicare embraced its seventh year as a
statutory authority in 2004-2005 with all
the enthusiasm and commitment that has
characterised our organisation from its
inception.
This Annual Report to the Victorian
Parliament features an insight into our
flagship clinical services reform initiative,
the Consolidating and Strengthening
Clinical Program project (CSCP), pages 22-
23, and an overview of the service demand
and productivity growth trends over the
past 5 years since the opening of the
Thomas Embling Hospital, page 7.
Financial Situation
In a year that began with a substantial
negative budget projection, the organisation
delivered a turnaround of $2.113m, ending
the year with a slight surplus of $0.327m
(excluding depreciation and capital
revenue). In the context of this financial
management challenge, virtually all
performance targets were met, and many
significantly exceeded. The momentum to
make tangible gains in our clinical services,
and in the corporate services that support
them, continued unabated, in spite of not
only the financial challenges, but also
continuing demand growth pressures.
Consolidating and Strengthening
Clinical Programs
Our legislation mandates that we not only
provide specialist forensic mental health
services, but that we drive our development
and effectiveness with research, and by
implication, through the application of
evidence. The basis of the CSCP project
has been research conducted within
Forensicare, together with international
research evidence. The program will
implement a ‘whole of clinical service’
enhancement throughout Forensicare that
will better meet the needs of our patients,
whilst seeking to reduce the likelihood of
reoffending and improving community
safety. It is ambitious and entails pervasive
change in service delivery, and will be
emulated internationally.
Developmental work on CSCP continued
throughout the year, and the preliminary
stages of implementation commenced. The
project involves nearly all our clinical staff
and is very time consuming. It is gratifying,
even at this early stage of implementation,
that there is high level interest from both
national and international forensic mental
health agencies, senior academics and
clinicians.
Our Growth and Ongoing
Service Development
Service demand pressures resonate through
the health sector and are certainly not
unique to our specialist area of mental
health. The reality is that resources will
always be limited and demand will exceed
supply. We have endeavoured to be
innovative and pragmatic in meeting these
challenges, and we will continue to strive
to do so.
We currently operate however, in a
situation in which we are disadvantaged
in terms of capacity. The parameters within
which our service capacity was calculated
(in the mid 1990’s) have changed with the
unanticipated increase in the prison
population. While the prison population
now appears to be levelling at around
3,700, it is 1,200 higher than what was
projected when our service capacity
planning was undertaken. The introduction
of the Crimes (Mental Impairment and
Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997, and its
significant reforms to the system of dealing
with mental illness and criminal
responsibility, has had the effect of
consuming more resources than planned.
The combined effect of the increasing
prison population and the new mental
impairment legislation has led to a serious
and escalating shortfall in our secure
inpatient capacity, and in turn our prison
and community services. Beds at the
Thomas Embling Hospital operate at 100%
capacity, which creates concerning delays
in our ability to admit and treat prisoners
with a serious mental illness, adjudicated
mental impairment patients and
challenging civil patients from general
mental health services. An innovative bed
expansion concept (necessarily involving
significant capital expenditure) has been
proposed by us and is under active
consideration by the Department of Human
Services.
Any significant new bed capacity will
inevitably take years to commission.
Constructive and open dialogue on this
matter continues with the Mental Health
Branch, Department of Human Services.
We are also seeking active support from the
Department of Justice, so that the project
may be jointly progressed within the
Government budgetary process.
Over the coming months, a set of strategies
will be formulated to manage demand
pressures in the interim.
9

Prison Mental Health Services
Forensicare deploys some 50 experienced
clinicians and administrative support staff
to our service contract with the Department
of Justice (Corrections Victoria). Service
activity levels and the degree of mental
illness acuity escalated yet again in 2004-
2005, especially in our Melbourne
Assessment Prison (MAP) program. The
busiest, and arguably most challenging,
mental health program in Victoria is
provided at MAP. On any one day, approx
one-third of the total population in this
maximum security reception prison is there
due to mental health issues.
Over 4,000 prisoners each year are
psychiatrically screened and triaged. An
acute psychiatric unit operates at 100%
capacity, with constant waiting lists for
admission. Very special and committed
staff are a prerequisite for this demanding
program. At years end, we have no
certainty about the continuation of this
service contract beyond mid 2005-2006.
Forensicare believes that a partnership/joint
venture arrangement with Corrections
Victoria for provision of these specialist
services would be far preferable to the
current uncertain purchaser-provider model.
Key Achievements
This year has seen wide ranging positive
initiatives and outcomes –
• All major service contracts, totalling
$6m, were re-tendered, and produced
excellent outcomes in both cost and
service performance enhancement.
• Nursing staff retention has been
outstanding, in a time of critical market
shortage for nurses in Victoria and
elsewhere.
• Professional education - completing the
delivery of training (2 full days) on
offending issues to our clinical
workforce, as part of the Consolidating
and Strengthening Clinical Programs
project. The training was completed
without budget supplementation by
Government.
• Forensicare co-hosted the 5th Annual
Conference of the International
Association of Forensic Mental Health
Services in Melbourne in April 2005.
The three-day conference, together with
one day of workshops, attracted 400
delegates, half of whom were from
overseas.
• Problem Behaviour Program – the
ongoing development of this program
has filled a pressing need within the
criminal justice system.
• The establishment and consolidation of
Care Plan Assessments Victoria, a joint
venture with Australian Community
Support Organisation, and an
important component of the Victorian
Government’s innovative Multiple
and Complex Needs Initiative.
• A major corporate focus was placed
on financial and other government
compliance requirements, including
the appointment of Deloittes Touche
Tohmatsu to undertake an organisation
wide rolling strategic audit program.
• Strengthening of the rolling security
audit program and the introduction of
the state of the art Iris Identification
System at the Thomas Embling
Hospital to improve efficiency and
effectiveness of movement control.
• There were no significant security
incidents during the year.
• Receiving a Gold Award for our 2003-
2004 Annual Report from Australasian
Reporting Awards.
These are but some of the achievements,
which are detailed in this Report. Our
initiatives and achievements are indicative
of a vibrant and thriving organisation, with
committed people who enjoy their work
and are dedicated to service improvement.
10
Welcome Reception (Queens Hall, Parliament House), IAFMHS Conference. Pictured L-R
- Michael Burt, CEO, Forensicare; Rüdiger Müller-Isberner, President, IAFMHS; Martin
Narey, CEO, National Offender Management Services, UK (keynote speaker); W Lawrence
Fitch, Director of Forensic Services, Maryland, USA (keynote speaker), The Hon. Rob
Hulls, Attorney-General and The Hon. Jim Kennan, Chair, Victorian Institute of Forensic
Mental Health Council.

My thanks ….
Successful organisational performance
comes from strongly capable people
effectively working together. Forensicare
is particularly fortunate in having highly
skilled and dedicated staff, and a
management team truly committed to
sustaining and enhancing the quality of all
our services. I acknowledge the excellent
work of our staff and the support, guidance
and strategic leadership of our Council and
Chairman, Jim Kennan.
On behalf of Forensicare I also
acknowledge the strong and ongoing
support of our key government and nongovernment
stakeholders, including the
Department of Human Services and the
Department of Justice, and our joint
venture partner, Australian Community
Support Organisation. We also acknowledge
the effective joint working relationship with
the Health and Community Services Union
and the Australian Nursing Federation.
It has also been a most fruitful year in our
now long-term relationship with Monash
University, in relation to developing a joint
vision for the future that will strengthen our
professional infrastructure and service
capability over time.
Conclusion
The past year has been busy and
productive for Forensicare, with the
implementation of organisational-wide
initiatives progressing well. We completed
the year with innovative clinical
developments and a solid list of research
publications – a year which also ended
with no major security incidents occurring.
The challenges of more creatively managing
severe demand pressures, effectively
advocating for service expansion to meet
rising service demand, continuing to
provide quality mental health services to
prisoners and Corrections Victoria in the
face of uncertain ongoing service provision,
maintaining our outstanding nursing staff
retention levels and operating within tight
budget restraints, are key challenges that
we face with enthusiasm in the coming
year.
Michael Burt
Chief Executive Officer
The Hon. Jim Kennan (R), Chair, Victorian
Institute of Forensic Mental Health Council,
receiving the Gold Award for the 2003-
2004 Annual report from John Horder (L),
Chairman, Annual Reporting Awards.
11

Clinical Services
The Thomas Embling Hospital operated at 99.12% capacity in 2004-2005, providing
care and treatment to a total of 146 inpatients.
5,611 referrals for psychiatric assessment and/or treatment and care were made to
Forensicare’s prison mental health service at the Melbourne Assessment Prison during
the year.
12
The Community Forensic Mental Health Service had 16,497 client contacts in 2004-
2005, and provided 328 psychiatric and psychological reports to Victorian courts.

Clinical Director’s Report
The Thomas Embling Hospital is now fully
commissioned. Our community service is
similarly now fully established. This should
be an occasion for moving towards an
exclusive focus on the goals of
consolidation and quality improvement. But
time has not stood still since the current
service was planned in the early 1990’s.
The assumptions on which our service
levels were determined have in the event
proved over optimistic. Firm predictions of
prison numbers in Victoria peaking at less
than 2,500 have crumbled before a current
reality of almost 3,700 inmates. A
particularly distressing aspect of this
escalation has been the increase in female
prisoners – an 80% increase since 1998.
The reform of the insanity legislation was
a welcome step forward, but has greatly
increased demands on our inpatient and
community services. The assumption by
Government that the Crimes (Mental
Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act
1997 would have little or no resource
impact has proved incorrect.
The increased pressure on our beds has
been alleviated to some extent by an
emerging trend toward a reduction in the
median length of stay among mental
impairment patients to 4-6 years. The
shorter admissions have not been
associated with any increase in offending
on return to the community, which
continues to be almost zero (two relatively
minor offences not involving violence in the
last 5 years). The reality is however, that
unless we have a significant increase in
bed numbers over the next year or so, our
ability to care for both mentally ill prisoners
and mental impairment cases coming from
the courts will further, and critically,
diminish.
For people with a serious mental illness
in prison, many remain untreated, and in
order to admit them to Thomas Embling
Hospital, we are forced to return to prison
people whose illness is only partially
treated. This situation carries considerable
risk for prison management, and for
downstream illness deterioration and
reoffending. Bed pressures also place
unacceptable constraints on our ability to
respond to much needed demand for
secure care from general mental health
services, struggling with challenging and
often high risk violent patients.
In the community service over the last 5
years the annual number of court reports
prepared has increased from less than 200
to well over 300 specialist forensic
assessments, for general mental health
services from 50 to over 200, and patient
contacts from 9,574 in 1998-1999 to
16,497 in 2004-2005. Continuing to meet
this rate of service demand increase is not
sustainable.
Success comes at a price. We have a bright
new hospital and a well functioning and
comprehensive community program. We
have excellent staff, arguably amongst the
best of any service in the state. Unlike
many mental health services, we manage
disturbed patients with, in many instances,
histories of serious violence, without
resorting to security staff or physical
restraints. We are productive academically.
We attract a high and largely positive public
profile.
Compared to many areas of Victoria’s
mental health services, we are privileged
and fortunate. The situation of perceived
privilege and real success, is however
fragile. It depends on being able to provide
the current level of services to our patients,
and the current levels of job satisfaction to
our staff. Our service capacity is threatened
by the current pressures. Our situation is
fragile because we are a small service,
performing a highly specialised function,
for a potentially very difficult group of
patients. When a forensic service begins
to falter, a range of underlying risks become
more elevated. Such risks impact on the
safety of people with a mental illness in
prison, on prison staff, and ultimately on
the community.
We are doing well as a service at this
moment, but unless a major increase
in our resources is delivered soon, this will
inevitably erode. Forensicare is at the
crossroads.
Paul E. Mullen
MB BS, DSc., FRANZCP, FRC Psych.
Professor of Forensic Psychiatry,
Monash University
Clinical Director, Victorian Institute of
Forensic Mental Health
13

Director of Psychological Services’ Report
Psychologists are active in all realms of
Forensicare activity, and developments in
psychology play an important role in the
organisation. Clinically, psychologists are
engaged in specialist psychological
assessment and intervention across the
service. This year we developed the
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Clinic for
Psychosis in the Thomas Embling Hospital,
led by Dr. Neil Thomas. Psychologists are
also active providing assessments to the
courts (the number of assessments
conducted has risen dramatically from
20 in 2000 to more than 130 by the end
of 2004) and most are active in the area
of research. Forensicare psychologists
delivered 11 papers and 5 workshops
at the International Association of Forensic
Mental Health Services Conference which
was held in Melbourne from 18-21 April
2005.
Psychologists continue to make a major
contribution to the Consolidating and
Strengthening Clinical Programs initiative
(CSCP), together with allied health and
nursing staff. Members of the nursing staff,
in particular, have assumed leadership
roles in the CSCP initiative. Significant
CSCP developments over the past year
include the provision of organisation wide
training and the commencement of
assessments. Many of the programs in both
the Dual Diagnosis and Offending Issues
areas have also been completed and are
now running.
Two major staffing changes occurred in
psychology this year. First, after many years
of service as a psychologist, senior
psychologist and then principal
psychologist, David Willshire changed roles
in 2005. He took up a part-time
appointment in our community service as
Principal Consultant Psychologist
overseeing specialist projects and providing
clinical service. I am particularly grateful to
David for his service and assistance to me
in my role. Finally, in early 2005 a
reorganisation of the Community Forensic
Mental Health Health Service saw the
creation of the position of Manager of the
Problem Behaviour Program and Lisa
Warren was appointed into that role. She
has quickly assumed an important role in
continuing to develop the Problem Beviour
Program.
Professor James Ogloff
Director of Psychological Services,
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Foundation Professor of Clinical Forensic
Psychology, Monash University
Another major initiative is the ongoing
development with Monash University to
create a Centre for Forensic Behavioural
Science. As part of the Centre, the
development of the first four units that
will comprise the Certificate in Forensic
Behavioural Science (FBSci) is nearing
completion. The FBSci program integrates
the knowledge and skills of a range of
disciplines that work at the crossroads
of law and mental or behavioural health
(e.g., social work, medicine and psychiatry,
clinical/forensic psychology, law, criminology
and public administration). It is anticipated
that the first subjects will be offered at the
commencement of the 2006 academic
year. This exciting new program will be of
interest to Forensicare staff and to others
working at the interface of law, medicine,
and health sciences.
14

Nursing Practice Director’s Report
Forensicare is a broad canvas of
opportunity for nurses’ professional
development. Nurses occupy key roles
in management, leadership and clinical
practice across the Forensicare programs.
Nurses also contribute policy and service
development, research and education.
In terms of professional education, the
nursing education programs at Forensicare
continue to be highly regarded. Over 150
undergraduate students undertake clinical
placements each year and interest is high
in the Graduate Nurse Program. The
enthusiasm, support and willingness of our
nursing staff to provide clinical teaching are
consistently reported as what students find
most helpful. In addition, Forensicare
nurses were enrolled in further education
courses including Graduate Diploma,
Honours and Masters.
The International Association of Mental
Health Services conference held in
Melbourne in April 2005 was a significant
event that enabled our nursing staff to meet
colleagues from interstate and overseas.
Forensicare nurses were well represented
among the delegates at both the conference
and the Nurses’ Forum, and the
Forensicare display and the tours of
Thomas Embling Hospital (that were
offered as a conference elective) were coordinated
by our Clinical Nurse Educator,
Mandy Donley. It was particularly
rewarding to hear comments made by
conference delegates on the friendliness
and professionalism of our nurses.
Nurses continued to make a sound
contribution to the implementation of the
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical
Programs (CSCP) project by coordinating
and providing training, reviewing
documentation and monitoring the progress
of implementation. Future plans include
nurses being involved in the patient
programs that are being developed.
Drawing on the CSCP content, nursing staff
developed and presented a one day
workshop for area mental health services
nurses on the knowledge and skills
required for caring for a patient who has an
offending history. The workshop evaluation
was excellent.
Much of what was achieved by nurses in
2004-2005 was due to our established
successful recruitment practices and good
retention of nurses. Victoria is currently
experiencing major problems with nursing
recruitment, and this is likely to impact on
Forensicare in the future. Our reputation
for providing a safe and supportive
environment, opportunities for professional
development and competent colleagues
should minimise the impact of the
recruitment difficulties being experienced
both within the state and nationally.
Nurses remain an invaluable resource
at Forensicare.
Trish Martin
Director of Nursing Practice
15

Inpatient Services
16
Strategic objectives
• Provide specialist forensic mental
health inpatient treatment and care to
people with a serious mental disorder
in the criminal justice system and
those patients at risk of behaving
violently.
• Provide high quality clinical services
that meet regulations, legislative and
security requirements.
• Provide liaison and consultative
services to public mental health
services and other agencies in relation
to treatment of mentally disordered
clients with significant forensic issues.
Challenges
• Minimising the impact within the
organisation of the international
shortage of specialised forensic mental
health clinicians.
• Maintaining the provision of high level
services to the criminal justice system
in the face of mounting demand for
care and treatment.
• Ensuring that technology, security and
associated building infrastructure at the
Thomas Embling Hospital remains of
the highest calibre.
How we plan to succeed in 2005-2006
• Implement new clinical programs and
systems to effectively address patient
management requirements and cooccurring
disorders and offending
behaviour.
• Establish a comprehensive Vocational
Rehabilitation Program.
• Implement new contractual
arrangements within Thomas Embling
Hospital for the provision of –
• catering
• cleaning
• pathology
• pharmacy
• Review the computer infrastructure
supporting the individual components
of the security system at Thomas
Embling Hospital to determine longterm
viability and implement review
recommendations.
• Further consolidate and advance
service delivery to Juvenile Justice.
PROFILE
• Thomas Embling Hospital - a 100-bed
secure hospital for patients from the
criminal justice system who are in
need of psychiatric assessment and/or
care and treatment, or patients from
the public mental health system who
require specialised management.
• specialist prison mental health services
at Melbourne Assessment Prison, and
sessional psychiatric consultations at
the larger regional prisons operated by
Corrections Victoria.
• services provided at Melbourne
Assessment Prison include a 16-bed
Acute Assessment Unit (for assessment
of prisoners thought to be mentally ill
and/or at risk), reception assessment
program, outpatient services and afterhours
crisis intervention.
KEY OUTCOMES
NURSING RECRUITMENT
AND RETENTION
As at January 2005, Forensicare was
in the fortunate position of having no
substantive nursing vacancies across all
programs. This was achieved through the
implementation of a range of recruitment
strategies, including the graduate and
postgraduate nursing programs. Forensicare’s
nursing recruitment and retention success
is also attributed to our reputation for
providing a safe and supportive workplace
(see page 52), where there is a genuine
commitment to ongoing professional
development, evidence based practice
and research.
Maintaining a stable nursing workforce
is singly the most cost sensitive dimension
of our service operations. The reduction
in costs associated with reduced reliance
upon casual staff, overtime and agency
staff significantly contributed to the positive
budgetary outcomes during the financial
year.
The challenge in the coming year will be to
maintain 100% nursing employment and
to effectively manage the impact that short
term vacancies, such as maternity leave,
WorkCover and secondments, has on our
capacity to maintain agreed staffing profiles
within budget.
CONSOLIDATING AND
STRENGTHENING CLINICAL
PROGRAMS
A large commitment was made by Thomas
Embling Hospital staff to the training
developed and provided as part of the
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical
Programs project. Nine of the clinical staff
at Thomas Embling Hospital received
training and subsequently delivered the
organisation-wide training on ‘Offending
Issues’ and ‘Dual Diagnosis’, which was
attended by 175 and 169 staff respectively.
Work commenced on preparing training
on Level Two Assessment, Responsivity
and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and
Motivational Interviewing. This will
commence in the first half of 2005-2006.
In addition to the training, and the
introduction of assessment tools for
substance abuse and offending issues,
a review of the clinical documents was
undertaken. Drafts of the revised risk
assessment tools, admission/reception
assessment forms and individual service
plans are being piloted.
CARER PARTICIPATION PLAN
The Carer Participation Plan was reviewed
and finalised in February 2005.
Acknowledging the legitimate and
appropriate role of families and carers in
supporting a person with a mental illness
and contributing to service development
and planning, a position of Family Advocate
was created. Appointed in August 2004,
our Family Advocate works with individual
families, carers and staff, to identify service
gaps and areas for improvement. The
ultimate aim is to develop a more
responsive and coordinated approach
to the needs of families and carers.
In addition to the appointment of a Family
Advocate, the membership of the Family
Sensitive Practice Committee was expanded
during the year to provide for up to eight
carer representatives in paid sessional roles.
An important component of our carer
participation program is the establishment
of regular Family Forums. Seven forums
were held for family members/carers in
2004-2005, providing the opportunity to
network, gain mutual support and receive
relevant information and education.
The Family/Carer Information Kit, which
is given to the family/carer of all newly
admitted patients, was revised and updated
during the year to include information that
will assist families and carers in their
orientation to Forensicare and services
provided. The information provided
includes location and site maps, Family
Forum information, together with
information from the Department of Human
Services, Association for Relatives and
Friends of the Mentally Ill and Mental
Illness Fellowship.

The implementation of the Carer
Participation Plan was formally evaluated in
June 2005, with all objectives being fully
or partially achieved.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The Emergency Management Committee at
Thomas Embling Hospital is responsible for
ensuring that comprehensive emergency
planning and preparedness activities are
undertaken in a timely, effective and
efficient manner. The Committee, which
comprises management and clinical staff,
also promotes and develops a shared
understanding of the critical nature of
effective emergency management.
Throughout the year, 28 drills covering
emergency responses to breaches, fire and
medical incidents were held in a variety of
locations throughout the clinical and
administrative areas.
PRISON MENTAL HEALTH
Forensicare is contracted by Corrections
Victoria to provide the forensic mental
health service to prisoners at Melbourne
Assessment Prison (MAP), and consultant
psychiatrist sessions at five regional prisons
(monthly sessions at Ararat, Loddon and
Barwon prisons, and less frequently, as
required, at Bendigo and Tarrengower
prisons). Consultant psychiatrists also
provide twice weekly sessions to women
prisoners at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.
The mental health services at MAP consist
of a 16-bed Acute Assessment Unit, in
which initial assessment and treatment is
provided to seriously mentally ill male
prisoners, together with an outpatient
service and a reception assessment service
(a mental health assessment is undertaken
on every prisoner received into custody at
the prison). Forensicare has a
multidisciplinary staffing profile at the
prison that includes psychiatrists,
psychiatric registrars, registered psychiatric
nurses, an occupational therapist, social
welfare worker, psychologist and medical
records staff.
Key outcomes for Forensicare’s prison
mental health service based at Melbourne
Assessment Prison in 2004-2005 –
• All performance measures were
exceeded during the year, with minimal
additional resources, and service
demands continued to increase
throughout the year. In particular –
a greater number of prisoners to
receive specialist assessment and
care within the prison.
• There was a higher level of acuity
of prisoners with a mental illness
remaining at MAP, due in part to
the limited bed availability at
Thomas Embling Hospital. Of a
capacity of 276 prisoners, there
was an average of 90 prisoners
who were unable to be moved
from MAP for mental health
reasons. In addition, there was a
20% increase in the number of
prisoners referred for psychiatric
assessment and care during 2004-
2005 (from 4,689 prisoners
referred in 2003-2004, to 5,661
prisoners referred in 2004-2005).
• To meet the increasing demand for
psychological services, the
psychology service increased from
5 to 6 sessions per week.
• The sessions provided by a
psychiatrist to prepare reports for
courts increased from 2 to 3
sessions per week, which enabled
us to meet requests from the
courts for reports on people
remanded in custody.
• During the year the number of
Muirhead Observation Cells (used
to accommodate disturbed
prisoners with a severe mental
illness) was increased by 50%, to
a total of 6. Prisoners in Muirhead
cells require intensive monitoring
and supervision by Forensicare
staff.
• The occupational therapist,
together with staff from Atherton
Unit, Thomas Embling Hospital,
implemented a pilot transition
program for prisoners being
discharged from the hospital and
returned to MAP.
• Forensicare continues to provide
education and training on mental
health issues to newly recruited
and existing staff of Corrections
Victoria. During the year staff
provided three training sessions to
correctional staff on issues relating
to working with people with a
mental illness.
• Discussions were held with a range
of agencies during the year with
the aim of establishing processes
to facilitate a smooth transition
from prison to the community for
people with a mental illness.
Prison mental health staff, together
with staff from our community
program, participated in
discussions with an area mental
health service to develop a protocol
for continuing community care and
treatment for Forensicare patients
and clients post-discharge, and
prisoners released from MAP.
These discussions are ongoing.
• The capacity of the Acute
Assessment Unit was increased to
16 beds during the year (it was
previously a 15-bed unit), enabling
17

HOW WE MEASURED OUR INPATIENT PERFORMANCE IN 2004-2005
(Our Performance Measures are established annually by Department of Human Services and can therefore vary from year to year.
Comparative annual data is shown for the 3-year period from 2002-2003, as measures have remained unchanged in this period.
Performance Measures Performance Targets Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes % Change
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2002-03 - 2004-05
Bed Occupancy Rate 98% 99.12% 99.4% 97.2% ↑2%
Percentage of patients who have a physical examination
completed within 48 hours of admission 95% 100% 100% 100% -
Unplanned readmission rate within 28 days 2% 3%* 1.4% 1.4% ↑114.3%
Number of admissions 176 146 149 142 ↑2.8%
Number of individual patients Target not required 139 130 131 ↑6.1%
Total number of separations Target not required 137 147 119 ↑15.1%
Number of assessments performed for other agencies,
including public mental health services 10 11** 25 16 ↓31.3%
Number of psychiatric and psychological reports prepared
for Victorian courts 76 109 111 120 ↓9.2%
Number of escapes from Thomas Embling Hospital 0 0 0 0 -
Percentage of patient leave episodes involving a patient absconding 0% 0.02%+ 0% 0% -
Number of category one incidents (other than patient absconding) Target not required 1 4 4 ↓75%
Proportion of direct care staff undertaking aggression management
training within 6 weeks of commencement 100% 99.26% 99% 99% ↑.3%
* The increase in the unplanned readmission rate reflects the pressure on inpatient beds at Thomas Embling Hospital, and the frequent need to return patients to prison
to accommodate prisoners waiting for a bed who are in greater need for inpatient care.
** Community Forensic Mental Health Services assumed responsibility for providing assessments for public mental health services during 2004-2005.
+ This represents one patient leave episode involving an abscond.
THOMAS EMBLING HOSPITAL PROFILE
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 % Change
(100 beds) (100 beds) (100 beds) 2002-03 – 2004-05
AVERAGE OCCUPANCY RATE
Acute Program (men) – Argyle, Atherton 99.28% 99.4% 97.2% ↑2.1%
Acute Program (women) – Barossa 97.18% 97.9% 93.9% ↑3.5%
Continuing Care Program – Canning, Bass 99.93% 99.9% 96.8% ↑3.2%
Intensive Rehabilitation Program – Daintree 99.79% 100% 96.9% ↑3%
LEGAL STATUS ON ADMISSION
Security Patients
Mental Health Act, s16(3)(b) –
Restricted Hospital Order (transferred from prison) 78% 81.5% 74.5% ↓4.7%
Sentencing Act, s.93(1)(e) – Hospital Security Order
(transferred from court) 0.7% 4% 7.5% ↓90.7%
Forensic Patients
Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 8.3% 9% 6% ↑38.3%
Involuntary Patients
Mental Health Act, s.12 –
Involuntary Patients (transferred from other hospitals) 13% 4.5% 9% ↑44.4%
Sentencing Act, s.93(1)(d) – Hospital Order (transferred from court) - 1% 2% ↓-
18

SNAPSHOT OF TOTAL PATIENT POPULATION
30 June 2005 30 June 2004 30 June-2003 % Change
(100 patients) (100 patients) (100 patients) June 2003
- June 2005
PATIENT DIAGNOSIS
Schizophrenia 92% 62% 66% ↑39.4%
Affective disorders 6% 13% 18% ↓66.7%
Adjustment disorders - 4% 1% -
Brief psychotic episode - 9% 2% -
Personality disorder 1% 3% 5% ↓80%
Other - 9% 8% -
LEGAL STATUS
Security Patients
Mental Health Act, s16(3)(b) –
Restricted Hospital Order (transferred from prison 36+ 43+ 44+ ↓18.2
Forensic Patients
Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 52* 49 44 ↑18.2%
Involuntary Patients
Mental Health Act, s.12 – Involuntary Patients
(transferred from other hospitals) 5 4 3 ↑66.7%
Other
Sentencing Act, s.93(1)(d), Hospital Order; and s.93(1)(e),
Hospital Security Order. (transferred from court) 6 4 9 ↓33.3%
+ Includes multiple patients on track for a mental impairment outcome.
* includes 1 patient who was returned to Thomas Embling Hospital following suspension of Extended Leave.
HOW WE MEASURED OUR PRISON PERFORMANCE IN 2004-2005
(Service delivery outcomes for services provided at Melbourne Assessment Prison are detailed in the contract between Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health and
Department of Justice. The performance measures listed here show service delivery information maintained by Forensicare).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes % Change 2002-03
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 – 2004-05
Melbourne Assessment Prison
Number of services provided–
. reception assessments 3,886 3,568 3,885+ -
. psychiatric referrals 5,661 4,689 4,225+ ↑34%
. psychiatric and psychological reports prepared for court 199 190 197 ↑1%
Acute Assessment Unit – bed occupancy rate 97.45%* 97%* 93.6%* ↑4.1%
January –
June 2003
Average no. of days between certification
and transfer to Thomas Embling Hospital 8** 24 15.9 ↓49.7%
Average number of prisoners waiting for admission
to Acute Assessment Unit 7.5 5 5 ↑50%
+ Due to a problem experienced with an external computer system, this information covers actual data collected for the period 1 October 2002 – 30 June 2003.
The data for the months of July – September 2002 is an average of the nine-month period for which data is available.
* The bed occupancy rate at the Acute Assessment Unit reflects a lower-than experienced rate. Occupancy rates at the Melbourne Assessment Unit are based on actual
bed vacancies at midnight each day. If a prisoner is discharged from the Acute Assessment Unit late in the afternoon, and a replacement prisoner not transferred in to the
Unit until the following morning, the bed is shown as a vacancy in prison records. Records maintained by Forensicare indicate an almost 100% occupancy rate.
** This decrease is the result of a change in policy by Forensicare regarding admission practices to Thomas Embling Hospital whereby prisoners are admitted to the
hospital within 72 hours post-certification. 19

Community Forensic Mental Health Service
20
Strategic objectives
• Provide specialist community forensic
mental health services to people with a
serious mental disorder in the criminal
justice system and people at high risk of
behaving violently.
• Provide multi-disciplinary assessment,
treatment and management of people with
a range of problem behaviours that are, or
might become, associated with offending.
• Provide specialist assessment and
treatment for sexual offenders who have
committed serious sexual offences and
pose a high risk to the community.
• Provide a transitional accommodation
program to assist mentally disordered
offenders exiting Thomas Embling Hospital
to gain skills for independent community
living.
• Provide expert assessment and advice to
courts, corrections, releasing authorities and
general mental health services in relation to
the early detection, assessment, treatment
and risk management of mentally
disordered offenders and potential offenders.
• Provide liaison and consultative services
to general mental health services and other
agencies in relation to treatment of mentally
disordered clients with significant forensic
issues.
Challenges
• To work with area mental health services,
community support services and justice
agencies to enhance their response to
mentally ill repeat offenders.
• To stay abreast of developments in risk
assessment technologies and adopt best
practice in identifying and managing the
risks our clients pose.
• To embed the learning from the
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical
Practice training in clinical practice across
the community programs.
How we plan to succeed in 2005-2006
• Implement the recommendations relating to
Forensicare’s court liaison service that were
included in the draft review of statewide
mental health court liaison services.
• Undertake a twelve month evaluation of
Jardine Transition Program.
• Subject to funding, strengthen and develop
more effective post release planning for
prisoners with a serious mental illness.
• Implement new reporting systems for the
statewide management of offenders on
Non-Custodial Supervision Orders.
• Develop a fee-for-service specialist Victim
Assessment Service.
PROFILE
• a statewide service providing
assessment and multidisciplinary
treatment services to high risk clients
referred from correctional providers,
police, courts, the Adult Parole Board,
the Thomas Embling Hospital, the
Acute Assessment Unit at Melbourne
Assessment Prison, the Psycho Social
Unit at Port Phillip Prison, mainstream
mental health services, private
psychiatrists and general practitioners.
• programs provided –
• Community Forensic Mental Health
Program
• Problem Behaviour Program
• Transitional Accommodation
Program
• Court Services Program
KEY OUTCOMES
CONSOLIDATING AND
STRENGTHENING CLINICAL
PROGRAMS
All clinicians at Community Forensic Mental
Health Service (CFMHS) undertook the
organisation-wide training to ensure that
substance abuse and criminogenic factors
are addressed in the assessment and
treatment of clients. CFMHS is represented
on the Consolidating and Strengthening
Clinical Programs (CSCP) steering
committee and has dedicated part of
a senior psychologist position to review
existing strategies and provide advice on
additional methods to address these issues.
Risk and needs assessment documentation
has been reviewed to ensure that substance
abuse and criminogenic factors are always
considered when undertaking assessments.
A consumer survey is underway to assess
a range of issues of relevance to clients,
including whether they believe that
clinicians have addressed substance abuse
and offending issues with them. Results
of this survey will be available next year.
COLLABORATION WITH
SPECTRUM
A collaborative working arrangement has
been developed between Forensicare and
SPECTRUM (the statewide personality
disorder service) to enhance service
provision for people with high complexity
problems associated with personality
disorder. In the past year, two clients of
Forensicare’s Mental Health Program and
one client of the Problem Behaviour
Program have been managed in
conjunction with SPECTRUM. This
arrangement has proved highly effective in
coordinating service delivery to a high risk
group of clients, and has succeeded in
achieving targeted funding arrangements
for clients and a referral to the Multiple and
Complex Needs Initiative.
SPECTRUM and Forensicare jointly
developed and presented a series of four
professional education sessions on
‘Violence and Mental Disorder’ for area
mental health services staff working with
clients with personality disorders.
MENTAL HEALTH COURT
LIAISON SERVICE
In 2003 a review was undertaken by
Forensicare to evaluate the structure and
effectiveness of the statewide Mental Health
Court Liaison Program. While some
recommendations were of relevance to the
statewide system, those recommendations
specific to Forensicare have been
considered and some will be implemented
in 2005-2006. A steering committee has
been established to guide implementation.
The recommendation to widen the
disciplines employed in the service has
been accepted, and future recruitment
by Forensicare to the Court Liaison Service
will be expanded to include psychologists,
social workers and occupational therapists.
This service is highly valued by the courts,
but is limited to magistrates’ courts.
Consideration will be given to service
provision in the Country Court and to
facilitating improved networking of services
across metropolitan and regional locations.
CARER PARTICIPATION PLAN
Initial steps were taken to develop a carer
participation plan for Community Forensic
Mental Health Services. Discussions were
held with Forensicare’s newly appointed
Family Advocate regarding strategies to
engage carers, the implementation of an inservice
training session for staff (provided by
a carer whose partner is a forensic patient)
and surveying clients to ascertain their
perception of the services required by their
carers.
Forensicare worked collaboratively with
the Mental Illness Fellowship to produce
a pamphlet providing relevant information
for carers at the time of arrest of their
relative/friend. The content of the brochure
was determined in consultation with a
group of carers who had experienced the
arrest process. The pamphlets were
completed and copies distributed to police
stations throughout Victoria.

JARDINE TRANSITION
PROGRAM
The commissioning of the Jardine
Transition Program occurred in August
2004. This 15 bed short-term residential
program is designed to assist forensic
patients in the transition from the Thomas
Embling Hospital to community living.
Accommodation is provided for a maximum
of 18 months.
The program commenced with four forensic
patients who obtained overnight leave
approval from the Forensic Leave Panel to
reside in the program for up to three nights
per week. One patient has now been
granted Extended Leave by the Supreme
Court and resides in the program on a full
time basis. At 30 June 2005, a total of
nine clients were participating in the
program, and two clients had successfully
completed the transitional process and
transferred to flats in the community.
An evaluation of the program was
undertaken three months after it
commenced, to ascertain effectiveness
and identify possible enhancements.
The evaluation contained a number of
recommendations, the principle one
being an amendment to the staffing
arrangements, which was endorsed
by Council and subsequently implemented.
A twelve month review will be conducted
in September 2005.
Comments from the judiciary indicate that
the availability of the Jardine Transition
Program is a critical factor in considering
extended leave applications.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
• The development of an interservice
agreement between Forensicare and
North West Health Care Network (who
provide services to a high proportion of
forensic mental health clients leaving
both prison and Thomas Embling
Hospital).
• A review of administrative services at
the Community Forensic Mental Health
Service to enhance the effectiveness
and efficiency of the administration.
• A review of security at the office of
Community Forensic Mental Health
Service (200 Sydney Road, Brunswick)
to ensure that a secure working
environment is maintained for staff
and clients, and that confidential
health information and other property
is securely stored.
• The amalgamation of the Psychosexual
Treatment Program and the Problem
Behaviour Clinic to provide –
• greater flexibility in allocation of
cases and reduced waiting times
• increased efficiency in the
allocation of staff time and
resources
• increased capacity for individual
clinicians to develop skills and
knowledge across specialist areas
• a reduction in the complexity
of the intake system
• enhanced capacity for evaluation
and research.
HOW WE MEASURED OUR COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE IN 2004-2005
Our Performance Measures are established annually by Department of Human Services and can therefore vary from year to year.
Comparative annual data is shown for the 3-year period from 2002-2003, as measures remained unchanged in this period.
Performance Measures Performance Targets Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes % Change
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002- 2003 2002-2003
- 2004-05
Number of client contacts 13,900 16,497 15,325 16,331 ↑1%
Number of continuing clients 250 302 241 285 ↑16%
Percentage of Individual Service/Treatment Plans
commenced within 6 weeks of registration 100% 100% - - -
Number of new registered clients 150 403 234* 166 ↑143%
Number of client separations 150 351 321* 162 ↑117%
Number of assessments performed for public mental health services 50 215 191+ 138 ↑56%
Number of assessments performed for other agencies 40 100 130 111 ↓10%
Number of psychiatric and psychological reports
prepared for Victorian courts 240 328 355 372 ↓12%
Number of category one incidents Target not required 1 0 0 ↑-
Jardine Transition Program
Number of clients on overnight leave Target not required 10 - - -
Number of clients on extended leave Target not required 2 - - -
* The system for recording new clients was amended during the year and a category of previously unregistered clients are now registered.
+ During the year the Community Forensic Mental Health service assumed responsibility for providing assessments for public mental health services.
This measure includes all assessments provided from the date of transfer.
21

INTRODUCING OUR FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE
Background
• Needs analyses conducted in 2002-
2003 demonstrated that in addition
to mental illness, many Forensicare
patients have a substance use disorder
and other offending issues.
• In 2003-2004 the Consolidating and
Strengthening Clinical Programs (CSCP)
initiative, an extensive project involving
many staff members and internal and
external stakeholders, was developed to
address these issues. A publication was
completed that outlined a work plan.
Level 1 Assessment
CSCP Assessment and
Level 1 Intervention
Level 1 Assessments and Level 1 Interventions are carried out
across the service
What is Consolidating and
Strengthening Clinical Programs
(CSCP)
• The CSCP incorporates comprehensive
assessment and intervention processes
to assist patients address substance
use and offending behaviour issues.
• The CSCP draws on Forensicare’s
multidisciplinary expertise and applies to
patients across all areas of the service.
Objectives
• To maximise the benefit to our patients’
care by addressing major difficulties in
their lives that affect their mental state
and their likelihood of future offending.
• To develop an integrated approach to
assessment and intervention across the
Forensicare clinical areas that will
ensure continuity of care for patients.
• To further enhance Forensicare’s
understanding and expertise in the
substance use and offending issues
areas and the culture of care.
Training
All Forensicare staff have completed
training in –
• dual diagnosis and offending issues
• level one assessment in both areas.
Level 1 –
Dual Diagnosis Assessment
• Drug and alcohol (D&A) screen
• D&A measures -
• AUDIT (measures alcohol consumption
and dependence)
• DAST (examines symptoms of drug use
and dependence)
• CAUSE & CUES (two part screening
/assessment tool for cannabis use)
• SOCRATES (assesses readiness for
change in alcohol and drug abusers)
Used to assist with the identification
of treatment needs and priorities.
Level 1 –
Offending Issues Assessment
• Offence history
• Offence details
• Relationship between mental illness
and offending
• LSI-R Screen (identifies risk and need
factors related to ongoing offending)
Used to assist with the identification
of treatment needs and priorities.
Level 1 –
Dual Diagnosis Intervention
• Based on the provision of psychoeducational
information aimed at
assisting patients with understanding
the effect of substances on them and
the possibility for change
• Delivered on either a one-to-one basis
or in short-term group programs
Level 1 –
Offending Issues Intervention
• Consist of a number of introductory
modules aimed at addressing general
offending issues (e.g., arousal
reduction, assertion, relationship
between thoughts, feeling, and
behaviour).
• Delivered on either a one-to-one basis
or in short-term group programs.
Programs
22
Treatment programs that can be delivered
individually or in groups have been
developed and trialled in dual diagnosis
and offending issues.
Evaluation and Outcomes
• All aspects of CSCP are being evaluated
• Expected outcomes include -
• increased responsiveness to patients’ needs
• enhanced capacity of patients to reintegrate successfully into the
community

Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical Programs (CSCP)
Addressing Dual Diagnosis and Offending Issues
Treatment Pathways in Forensicare
Level 2 Assessment Level 2 Intervention Discharge and Follow-Up
Level 2 Assessments are conducted on an as-need basis
following a decision of the treatment team, based on the patients’
issues and situation.
Level 2 –
Dual Diagnosis Assessment
• Drawing on the Level 1 assessment
results, Level 2 assessments comprise
a formulation and proposed treatment
plan
• Comprehensive examination includes
a consideration of the patient’s
psychosocial needs and problems,
including the severity of mental health
and substance use disorders,
conditions associated with the
occurrence and maintenance of these
disorders.
Level 2 –
Dual Diagnosis Intervention
• Patients moved beyond psychoeducation
and information to in-depth
therapeutic interventions, aimed at
treating the substance use disorder
• Areas covered include refusal skills,
relapse prevention strategies, coping
with unpleasant feelings, managing
cravings, social skills and relaxation
skills.
Information from patients’ assessments
and intervention pertaining to both dual
diagnosis and offending issues form part
of patients’ discharge plans. Remaining
issues are identified and targeted for
ongoing intervention.
Level 2 –
Offending Issues Assessment
• HCR-20 (assesses patients’ historical,
clinical and risk management factors)
• LSI-R (comprehensively identifies areas
of vulnerability associated with the risk
of offending that require intervention)
• Offence chain analysis (identifies the
important causal and functional
relationships associated with offending
behaviour)
• Case formulation and treatment plan
development
Level 2 –
Offending Issues Intervention
• Targeted at the areas identified in the
Level 2 assessment.
• Depending on the patient, interventions
are aimed at –
• cognitive skills (problem solving,
social skills, anger management,
stress management)
• offence specific matters (history
of violence, perceptions, thought,
feelings, and attitudes)
• Long-tem benefits could include reduced re-offence rates and less frequent
return to prison and to hospital
23

Professional Education and Research
A total of 7,770 staff training hours was provided to 97.2% of Forensicare’s clinical
staff in 2004-2005.
Forensicare provided 22 training sessions to area mental health services during
the year.
24
Our research program was the basis for 19 publications during the year (1 book,
4 chapters in books and 14 articles in refereed journals).

Professional Education
Strategic objectives
• Provide professional education and
training to Forensicare staff to further
enhance their specialist skills, expertise
and knowledge.
• Continue to develop a learning
environment for Forensicare staff to
promote critical thinking and
innovation.
• Enhance the responsiveness of
teaching institutions, service providers
and agencies to the needs of forensic
mental health patients and clients.
• Promote and develop the specialist
skills and knowledge of practitioners
and professionals in the forensic
mental health area.
The challenges
• Making education and training
opportunities for staff at Forensicare
and area mental health services
accessible and relevant
• Establish a learning culture that values
education and training as a core
element of professional practice and
accountability.
How we plan to succeed in 2005-2006
• Provide specialised training to rural
and metropolitan area mental health
services and other services/agencies.
• Promote a better understanding of
forensic mental health within the legal
and criminal justice sectors.
PROFILE
The Professional Education program –
• operates to identify and facilitate best
practice within Forensicare, promote
knowledge and expertise in forensic
mental health and enhance
responsiveness to the needs of mental
health clients who are offenders and/or
present with challenging behaviours.
• provides professional education and
training on forensic mental health
issues to Forensicare staff, area mental
health services, other relevant
practitioners and teaching institutions.
• incorporates activities appropriate to all
disciplines within Forensicare.
KEY OUTCOMES
FORENSIC TRAINING TO
AREA MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES
The final training sessions on ‘Risk
Assessment and Management’ were provided
for area mental health services in both
metropolitan and rural areas during July –
December 2004. This completed the 18
sessions funded by the Department of
Human Services in 2003.
A total of 24 training sessions was provided
to area mental health services in 2004-2005
(an increase from the 22 sessions provided
in 2003-2004). This included quarterly daylong
training sessions, four sessions
developed and presented with SPECTRUM
(the statewide personality disorder service)
on ‘Violence and Mental Disorder’ for area
mental health services staff working with
clients with personality disorders, a one day
workshop for area mental health nurses who
have patients who are offenders and a half
day workshop on ‘Risk Assessment’, together
with shorter training sessions directed at
specific forensic issues.
CLINICAL PLACEMENTS
Providing placement opportunities to
students is an important component of our
professional education program and student
placements at Forensicare continue to be
highly sought. During 2004-2005, 212
student placements were provided across
the organisation in all clinical disciplines –
social work, occupational therapy,
psychology, nursing and psychiatry. The
number of placements provided has
decreased slightly over the past two years,
as the practice of having 5th year medical
students on placement at Forensicare has
been discontinued due to new learning
requirements introduced by the two
teaching universities.
STUDENT PLACEMENTS PROVIDED
BY FORENSICARE
240
230
220
210
200
212
215
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003
*reduction in total number of placements due to
cessation of placements by 5th year medical students.
GRADUATE AND
POSTGRADUATE NURSE
PROGRAM
The Graduate Nurse Program, a one year
program that incorporates studies leading
to a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health
Nursing, was again offered by Forensicare
in 2004-2005. Co-ordinated by the
Clinical Nurse Educator, the program had 9
graduate nurse participants in 2004-2005.
A Postgraduate Nurse Program (for nurses
with a minimum of 3 years postgraduate
experience in another field) was also
offered, but was unable to run as no
applications were received that met the
stringent participation criteria.
Advice has been received from The Nurses
Board of Victoria that a Graduate Certificate
in Mental Health Nursing will no longer be
endorsed by the Board from January 2006.
As a result, the existing Graduate and
Postgraduate Nurse Programs were
reviewed, and from 2006 Forensicare
will only offer a Post Graduate Diploma
in Mental Health Nursing.
GRADUATE PROGRAM –
ALLIED HEALTH
236
The Department of Human Services
provided funding of $91,273 in 2003-
2004 to enable Forensicare to expand the
Graduate Program to include allied health.
The first Allied Health Graduate Program,
open to new graduates undertaking
relevant postgraduate research, was
introduced for social workers. The program,
which attracted twelve applications from
social workers in 2004, is open to new
graduates who are undertaking relevant
postgraduate research. Initially a twelve
month program, the graduate program was
extended to two years from 2005, and a
new social worker appointed to the
program from that time.
25

The Graduate Program and has also been
broadened to include occupational therapy,
and the first occupational therapist was
appointed to the program for a two year
period in January 2005.
INSERVICE AND CONTINUING
EDUCATION
Forensicare has a formal Professional
Education Program that provides all staff
with inservice and continuing education
opportunities throughout the year. The
program provides education sessions at
Thomas Embling Hospital, the Community
Program and Melbourne Assessment
Prison. Topics presented cover both
forensic-specific and general mental health
issues, and includes internal and external
presenters.
Specific training outcomes achieved during
the year include –
• Consolidating and Strengthening
Clinical Programs (CSCP) – the training
provided to staff as part of the CSCP
project, is detailed on page 22. In
summary however, a total of 3,776.5
training hours on offending issues and
dual diagnosis was provided to staff
as part of the CSCP project.
• Inservice education sessions were
provided on working with families,
mental state examination, grief and
loss, the Crimes (Mental Impairment
and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997,
patients rights, management of acute
arousal, critical incident response and
discharge planning.
• A total of 7,770 clinical staff training
hours was provided, and 97.2% of
clinical staff completed training (in
2003-2004, 7,150 training hours
were provided to 96.7% of staff).
Both this year and 2003-2004 saw
additional specialised training provided
– this year CSCP training (see above),
and in 2003-2004 extensive
organisation wide training in outcome
measurement was provided at the
request of the Department of Human
Services.
ORIENTATION
Forensicare has a comprehensive day
and a half Orientation Program that
provides all staff (including agency, bank
and contracted staff) with the information
necessary to work within our specialised
environment. During 2004-2005, nine
Orientation Programs were provided
for new staff, which were followed by a
comprehensive orientation to the unit in
which the staff member was allocated.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
PROVIDED TO EXTERNAL
AGENCIES
Forensicare has an active education and
training program that focuses on enhancing
knowledge and skills of forensic mental
health issues. During the past year we
provided 30 sessions to external agencies,
in addition to the 24 provided to area
mental health services (in 2003-2004,
28 sessions were provided) and staff
delivered 109 formal presentations and
papers to professional forums (94 papers
were presented in 2003-2004). A new
initiative saw the Senior and Deputy Senior
Social Worker in Thomas Embling Hospital
provide supervision for three forensic social
workers from Tasmania, via videolink.
COLLABORATIVE ‘CLUSTER’
TRAINING
During the year, the Department of Human
Services established three statewide
‘cluster’ groups, incorporating mental health
providers and services in specific regions
(bringing together community, adult, and
aged agencies) to provide a range of
learning initiatives for staff utilising shared
expertise. Forensicare, together with Austin
Health, Eastern Health, Goulburn Valley
Health, North East Hume and St Vincent’s,
joined to form the North East Cluster,
known as NEVIL: North East Victoria Into
Learning. A range of training courses and
professional development activities have
been offered, and during the coming year
Forensicare is scheduled to provide
workshops on risk management and
aggression for staff of agencies in our
cluster.
EDUCATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Forensicare has formally established
affiliations with Monash University and
The University of Melbourne. Additional
affiliations have been also been developed
through student placements with Latrobe
University, Deakin University, RMIT
University, Victoria University of Technology
and Australian Catholic University.
MAJOR PRESENTATIONS
IN 2004-2005
Professor Paul Mullen,
Director of Clinical Services
International
10-12 September 2004, Stalking
Conference, Modena, Italy. Spoke
on Stalking
23-24 September 2004, North London
Forensic Service - VIIth International
Conference - Approaches to Homicide,
Queens’ College, Cambridge, UK. Spoke
on Schizophrenia and Homicide and
Morbid Jealousy and Murder
30 October 2004, 11th Scientific Meeting
of the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists
2004, Hong Kong. Spoke on Advanced
Directives - Nice Idea, Pity About the
Practice
1 November 2004, Hong Kong
Psychogeriatric Association Annual
Scientific Symposium, Hong Kong.
Spoke on Advanced Directives
13 December 2004, Workshop for
Accident Compensation Corporation
(ACC), Wellington. Spoke on Persistent
Complainers
13 December 2004, Ombudsmen’s Office,
Wellington. Spoke on Persistent Complainers
14 December 2004, Wellington, New
Zealand. Lecture on Obsessive and
Persistent Complainants
14 December 2004, Dinner Meeting,
Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals,
Wellington. Spoke on Unusually Persistent
Complainants
2-4 February 2005, Royal College of
Psychiatrists, Belfast, Ireland. Faculty of
Forensic Psychiatry – Annual Residential
Meeting. Workshop on Disorders of Passion
10 February 2005, Kneesworth House
Hospital, England, UK. Seminar on
Homicide and Schizophrenia
9 June 2005, Psychiatric University Clinic,
Vienna, Austria. Spoke on Stalkers and
their Victims
17 June 2005, Institute of Psychiatry,
London, England
Joint Presentations with Professor James
Ogloff on Assessing and Managing the
Risks in Stalking and Assessing and
Managing Problem Behaviours in the
Community: Sex Offenders, Stalkers,
Threateners, Querulants, Arsonists and
Problem Gamblers
26

20-23 June 2005, Annual Meeting of the
Royal College of Psychiatrists, Edinburgh,
Scotland. Workshop on Assessing risks for
victims and perpetrators in the stalking
situation and Plenary Lecture on
Schizophrenia and Violence: from
correlations to preventive strategies
24 June 2005, Forensic Psychiatry
Research Society Meeting, Edinburgh,
Scotland. Spoke on Mass Killers
National
20 July 2004, Centrelink Conference,
Melbourne. Spoke on Querulous Litigators
and Threatening Behaviours
9 August 2004, Grand Round – Austin
Hospital, Heidelberg. Spoke on Assessing
the risk of violence in the seriously
mentally ill
24 August 2004, Seminar and Workshop
for NSW Complaint Handling and
Watchdog Agencies, Sydney. Presentations
on Unusually Persistent Complainants
28 August 2004, Custodial Medicine Unit,
Annual Meeting, Melbourne. Spoke on
Threats of Suicide and Assessment of the
Suicidal Prisoner
5 September 2004, ANZAPPL Spring
Symposium – Humane Detention:
An Oxymoron, Melbourne. Spoke
on Security, Safety and Detention
6 September 2004, RANZCP NSW
Forensic Section Meeting, Sydney.
Spoke on Mass Killers
1 October 2004, Working Together for
a Safer Community Workshop, Monash
University, Victoria. Spoke on Persistent
Complainers
4 October 2004, 2nd Annual Risky
Business Conference, Melbourne
Spoke on Risk Management
11 October 2004, The Barton Pope Lecture
(S.A. Branch of the RANZCP), Adelaide.
Presentation on Violence and Mental
Disorder
13 October 2004, Grand Round – Glenside
Hospital, Adelaide. Spoke on Stalking:
Assessing the Risks to Victims and
Perpetrators
18 October 2004, Lunchtime Colloquium
at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne.
Spoke on Forensicare
20 October 2004, Royal Brisbane and
Women’s Hospital Symposium 2004,
Brisbane. Presentation on Evil and the
Mass Killer
20 October 2004, Princess Alexandra
Hospital Annual Meeting, Brisbane
Presentation on Evil and the Mass Killer
25-27 November 2004, RANZCP Section
of Forensic Psychiatry, Annual Conference,
Fremantle. Keynote Address, The Massacre
and Workshops with Professor James Ogloff
on An Overview of the Assessment of Risk
for Violence in Forensic Mental Health and
The Assessment of Special Risks in
Forensic Mental Health
1 April 2005, Alfred Psychiatry Professorial
Grand Round, Melbourne. Spoke on The
Querulant and the Vexatious Litigant
18-20 April 2005, 5th Annual
International Association of Forensic Mental
Health Services Conference, Melbourne.
Spoke on Mass Killers
3 May 2005, Presentation for Astra
Zeneca, Sydney. Spoke on Assessment and
Management of the Risk of Violence in the
Mentally Disordered
23-26 May 2005, RANZCP College of
Psychiatrists 40th Congress, Sydney. Spoke
on Relationship between Mental Illness and
Violence
3 June 2005, Conference – The Next
Generation in Psychiatry, Adelaide. Spoke
on Assessing and Managing the Risks of
Violence in Mental Health Patients
Professor James Ogloff,
Director of Psychological Services
International
September 2004, Forensic Mental Health
Service, Wellington, New Zealand
Workshop on The Assessment of Inpatient
Aggression
June 2004, ‘What Works with Women
Offfenders’ Conference, Prato, Italy.
Spoke on The Plight of Mentally Ill Women
in Jails and Prisons: A Search for Solutions
National
July 2004, 24th Annual ANZAPPL
Congress, Port Douglas, Queensland.
Workshop on The Assessment of Risk for
Violence Among Offenders and spoke on
The Assessment of Risk for Imminent
Inpatient Aggression: Development of the
Dynamic Appraisal of Situational
Aggression and What’s the point
A functional analysis of Psychiatric
Inpatient Aggression
July 2004, Northern Territory Rehabilitation
Service, Charles Darwin University, Darwin,
NT. Spoke on Personality, Malingering and
Personal Injury
August 2004, Forensic Mental Health
Services, Hobart. Spoke on Expert
Testimony and Report Writing
September 2004, ANZAPPL Conference,
Castlemaine. Spoke on Humane Detention
September 2004, Forensic Mental Health
Services, Hobart. Spoke on Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment
of Psychosis
September 2004, Chronic Psychosocial
Work Stressors Conference, Brisbane.
Spoke on The Relationship between
Personality and Reaction to External
Stressors in the Workplace
September 2004, Judicial College of
Victoria, Melbourne. Keynote Address on
Mental Disabilities: Making sense of it all
1 October 2004, Safer Community Day,
Monash University, Melbourne.
Spoke on Dealing with Difficult People
5 November 2004, Alcohol and Drug
Provider Conference, Melbourne. Spoke on
An Overview of Therapeutic Interventions
in a Community Setting: Counselling
Approaches for Alcohol and Drug Services
13 November 2004, Australian
Psychological Society, Forensic College
Conference, Sydney. Workshop (with
Michael Davis) on The Assessment and
Treatment of Risk for Violence
25-27 November 2004, RANZCP Section
of Forensic Psychiatry, Annual Conference,
Fremantle. Workshop (with Paul Mullen)
on An Overview of the Assessment of Risk
for Violence in Forensic Mental Health;
Workshop (with Paul Mullen) on The
Assessment of Special Risks in Forensic
Mental Health
29 November 2004, Australian Institute
of Criminology Conference, ‘Crime in
Australia: International Connections’,
Melbourne. Spoke on Threat Crimes and
Stalking (with Lisa Warren and Rachel
MacKenzie) and Mental Health Disorders
Among Victorian Prisoners and Workshop
on Prisoner Health
8 December 2004, APS Forensic College,
Melbourne. Panel Discussion, chaired
sessions on The Roles of Psychology
in Law and Reports and Testimony:
the Dos and Don’ts
March 2005, Law Institute of Victoria,
Criminal Law Professional Development
Spoke, together with Tom Dalton, on
Mental Impairment and Fitness to Plead:
Legal Overview and Clinical Perspectives
27

March 2005, Community Forensic Mental
Health Service, Townsville
Workshop on Assessing Psychopathy
and Risk for Violence
February 2005, Faculty of Law and Faculty
of Medicine, Monash University
Symposium on Appropriate Disclosure
of Confidential Health Information
18-21 April 2005, 5th Annual
International Association of Forensic Mental
Health Services Conference, Melbourne.
Keynote address on Problem Behaviour:
Moving Beyond a Narrow Focus on Mental
Illness in Forensic Mental Health Services;
Symposium (with Michael Davis and
Henrik Belfrage) on Towards Risk
Reduction Using Structured Professional
Judgement: Clinical and Research Issues;
Workshop (with David James) on Diverting
the Mentally Ill from the Criminal Justice
System; Workshop (with Caroline Logan)
on Psychopathy: Managing the
Unmanageable
April 2005, Forensic Mental Health
Autumn Institute Workshop, Melbourne
and Sydney. Workshop (with Christopher
Webster and Michael Daffern) on Violence
and Aggression: Understanding and
Assessing Violence Risk in Institutional
and Community Settings
May 2005, North West Mental Health
Psychologists’ Forum, Melbourne. Spoke on
Moving Beyond a Narrow Focus on Mental
Illness
Forensicare display at the Collaborative
Conference, Oct 2004
HOW WE MEASURED OUR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PERFORMANCE IN 2004-2005
Our Performance Measures are established annually by the Department of Human Service and can vary from year to year. Comparative
data is shown for the 3-year period from 2002-2003, as measures remained unchanged in this period.
Performance Measures Performance Targets Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes % Change
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2002-2003 –
2004-2005
Number of education and training sessions provided
to area mental health services 18 24 22 17 ↑41%
Number of education and training sessions provided to other agencies 20 30* 28* 50 ↓40%
Number of formal presentations and papers
delivered to professional forums 30 109 94 94 ↑16%
Number of professional education placements provided 150 212 215 235 ↓10%
* The added focus placed on providing education and training sessions to area mental health services in 2003-2004 has resulted in a decrease (from 2002-2003)
in the amount of time able to be spent on providing education and training sessions to other agencies.
28
“
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ………
After operating at full capacity for two years, staff from the women’s unit at
Thomas Embling Hospital, became aware through comments voiced by patients,
particularly those recently transferred from the prison system, that there was a
long-standing need to address their sexual health needs. This need was
subsequently confirmed by the information maintained on medical leaves
undertaken by women to receive this specialist treatment. Although patients have
access to a general practitioner service at the hospital, the women indicated that
they would like this service to be supported by a specialist clinic provided by a
female clinician. A fortnightly service has since been arranged, and a specialist
(female) sexual health physician now provides a visiting consultation service for
the women in Barossa Unit.

Research
Strategic objectives
• Undertake and publish high quality,
relevant and timely research.
• Improve delivery and advance
knowledge of specialist forensic mental
health services.
Challenges
• Ensure that research contributes
to clinical practice.
• Successfully access research grants
and funding.
How we plan to succeed in 2005-2006
Under the auspice of the Research
Committee, undertake research on –
• the effectiveness and impact of the
Crimes (Mental Impairment and
Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997
PROFILE
Forensicare has a sound research base
and a strong commitment to supporting
research throughout the organisation. The
research program ensures that high quality
research is undertaken to better inform
clinical practice in the provision of public
mental health services. Forensicare is also
committed to disseminating research
findings to area mental health services and
other stakeholders. Responsibility for the
research program rests with the Clinical
Director, and all research projects are
approved by the Research Committee,
a sub-committee of the Council. All staff
are encouraged to participate in the
research program, and during 2004-2005
10% of Forensicare’s clinical staff were
actively involved in research projects.
KEY OUTCOMES
ANNUAL RESEARCH REPORT
Full details of Forensicare’s research
program in 2004-2005, including featured
published research, are provided in a
separate publication, the Annual Research
Report to Council. Copies of the Research
Report are available from the Chief
Executive Officer (Locked Bag 10, Fairfield,
3078, or tel 9495 9143) or from the
website – www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
• risk management and risk management
tools
• stalkers and their victims
• problem gambling
• threats to kill
• sex offending, including the use
of child internet pornography
• the role of nursing in improving mental
health outcomes and evidence based
psychiatric nursing practice
• substance abuse and mental illness
• inpatient aggression
OUTCOMES OF RESEARCH CONDUCTED - DEVELOPMENTS IN CLINICAL
PRACTICE
RESEARCH CONDUCTED
The epidemiology and phenomenology
of uttering threats to harm others
Evaluation of cognitive behavioural therapy
with forensic patients.
DEVELOPMENTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
The ongoing development of the Problem
Behaviour Program is guided by this
research.
Alongside the establishment of a specialist
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis
Clinic at the Thomas Embling Hospital,
research is being conducted on the process
and outcome of this treatment within the
population of mentally disordered offenders.
• cognitive behaviour therapy with
forensic patients
• prevalence of offenders with a mental
illness re-entering prison in the context
of a relapse of their mental illness
• violence on the roads.
Further pursue fee-for-service consultancies
and develop a grant application capability
to assist in underwriting our research and
professional education programs.
Research into inpatient aggression
The systematic assessment of stalkers
Substance use and personality
characteristics of forensic outpatients
with a mental illness.
Findings from these research projects
inform the Consolidating and Strengthening
Clinical Programs project.
As part of the research all clinical
documentation has been reviewed and
recommendations made for enhancement
where required.
Results from this study have important
implications for clinicians planning
treatment interventions for stalkers and
have been adopted by the Problem
Behaviour Program.
Findings from this study have provided
information on patients with dual diagnosis
at risk of reoffending and the issues that
need to be addressed in treatment programs.
29

PUBLISHED RESEARCH
2004-2005
Journal Articles
Carroll A., Lyall M., Forrester A. 2004 ‘Clinical
hopes and public fears in forensic mental
health’. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry
and Psychology. 15(3) 407 – 425.
Happell B., Martin T. 2004 ‘Exploring the
impact of the implementation of a Nursing
Clinical Development Unit program: What
outcomes are evident’. The International
Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 13, 177-
184.
Lester G. 2005 ‘The Vexatious Litigant’.
Judicial Officer’s Bulletin. April 2005.
Meloy J.R., James D.V., Farnham F.R.,
Mullen P.E., Pathe M., Darnley B., Preston
L. 2004 ‘A Research Review of Public
Figure Threats, Approaches, Attacks,
and Assassinations in the United States’.
Journal of Forensic Science. 49(5),
1086-1093.
Mullen P.E. 2004 ‘Ten Books’. British
Journal of Psychiatry. 185:179-182.
Nicholls T., Lee Z., Corrado R., Ogloff J.R.P.
2004 ‘Women Inmates’ Mental Health
Needs: Evidence of the Validity of the Jail
Screening Assessment Tool (JSAT)’.
International Journal of Forensic Mental
Health. 3(2), 167-184.
Nikonova O., Ogloff J.R.P. 2005 ‘Mock
Jurors’ perceptions of child witnesses:
The impact of judicial warning’.
Canadian Journal of Behavioral Sciences.
37(1), 1-19.
Ogloff J.R.P., Lemphers A., Dwyer C. 2004
‘Dual Diagnosis in an Australian Forensic
Psychiatric Hospital: Prevalence and
Implications for Services’. Behavioural
Sciences and the Law. 22: 543-562.
Ogloff J.R.P., Chopra S. 2004 ‘Stuck in the
dark ages: Supreme Court decision-making
and legal developments in capital
punishment’. Psychology, Public Policy
and Law. 10(4), 379 – 416.
Ogloff J.R.P. 2004 ‘Invited Introductory
Remarks to the Special Issue’. Canadian
Journal of Behavioural Science. 36 (2),
84-86.
Pathe M., Mackenzie R., Mullen P.E. 2004
‘Stalking by Law: Damaging Victims and
Rewarding Offenders’. Journal of Law and
Medicine. 12(1), 103-111.
Purcell R., Pathe M., Mullen P.E. 2004
‘When do Repeated Intrusions become
Stalking’ The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry
and Psychology. 15(4), 571-583.
Sullivan D., Walterfang M., Velakoulis D.
2005 ‘Bipolar Disorder and Niemann-Pick
Disease Type C’. American Journal of
Psychiatry. 162:5, 1021-1022.
Warren L., MacKenzie R., Mullen P.E.,
Ogloff J.R.P. 2005 ‘The Problem Behavior
Model: The Development of a Stalkers
Clinic and Threateners Clinic’. Behavioral
Sciences and the Law. 23, 287-397.
Books
Nicholls T.L., Roesch R., Olley M.C., Ogloff
J.R.P., Hemphill J.F. 2005 ‘Jail Screening
Assessment Tool (JSAT): Guidelines for
mental health screening in jails’. Burnaby,
BC: Mental Health, Law, & Policy Institute,
Simon Fraser University.
Chapters in Books
Ogloff J.R.P., Rose V.G. 2005 The
comprehension of judicial instructions, in
N.Brewer, K.Williams (Eds) Psychology and
Law: An Empirical Perspective. New York,
Guilford.
Ogloff J.R.P., Davis M.R. 2005 Assessing
Risk for Violence in the Australian Context,
in D. Chappell, P. Wilson (Eds) Crime and
Justice in the New Millenium. Sydney,
Lexis Nexis.
Sullivan D. 2005 Model answers:
MRCPsych Part II Examination Critical
Review Paper Autumn 2000, in T.Brown,
G.Williams (Eds) Critical Reviews in
Psychiatry. Third Edition. London, Gaskell
Press.
Sullivan D. 2005 Model answers:
MRCPsych Part II Examination Critical
Review Paper Spring 2003, in T.Brown,
G.Williams (Eds) Critical Reviews in
Psychiatry. Third Edition. London, Gaskell
Press.
ETHICS APPROVAL
All research undertaken within Forensicare
involving patients or staff is required to
receive the appropriate ethical approval
from the Department of Human Services
Ethics Committee, or a university ethics
committee. All research undertaken
involving patients must also comply with
the 1999 National Statement on Ethnical
Conduct Involving Humans.
Lisa Warren, Manager Problem Behaviour
Program
Research – The epidemiology and
phenomenology of uttering threats
to harm others.
Dr Andrew Carroll, Assistant Clinical
Director (Community)
Research – The prediction of community
outcomes of forensic patients.
30
Jo Bowers, Manager Community Forensic
Mental Health Program
Research area – Prison based forensic
psychiatric nursing.

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS AT 30 JUNE 2005
Risk for violence among forensic psychiatric patients in Australia
The epidemiology and phenomenology of uttering threats to harm others.
Women’s access to welfare after prison.
Efficacy of treatment of resistant command hallucinations (TORCH)
An examination of pathways to and from juvenile justice
The Jury Project: Enhancing communication with the Australian and New Zealand jury
Factors involved in the administration of PRN psychotropic medications by registered
nurses on an acute all male forensic psychiatric unit.
Involuntary patient experience of the Mental Health Review in Victoria – What it is and
how does the process work
An exploration of ability to control offensive or deviant urges
Substance use and personality characteristics of forensic outpatients with a mental illness.
Evaluation of cognitive behavioural therapy with forensic patients.
Inhibitory control and aggression among inpatients at a secure hospital
Evaluating the operation of the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act
1997
The Prediction of Community Outcomes of Forensic Patients
Ongoing research into vexatious litigants
RESEARCHER
Paul Mullen, James Ogloff, Michael Davis
Lisa Warren
Chris Trotter, Rosemary Sheehan,
Cathie Flynn
David Copolov, Paul Mullen, Fran Shawyer
James Ogloff, Sandra Lancaster,
Shane Thomas
James Ogloff, Warren Young,
Geoffrey Eames.
Ros Young
Vivienne Topp
Cynthia Mercado, Joseph Lee
James Ogloff, Jenny Redman,
Joanne Griffith
Neil Thomas
James Ogloff, Michael Daffern
and Peter Enticott
Janet Ruffles and James Ogloff
Andrew Carroll, Shannon Reid,
Michael Davis
Grant Lester
HOW WE MEASURED OUR RESEARCH PERFORMANCE IN 2004-2005
Our Performance Measures are established annually by the Department of Human Service and can vary each year. Comparative annual
data is shown for the 3-year period from 2002-2003 (as measures remained unchanged in this period), and where the % change is
meaningful.
Performance Measures
Performance
Targets Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes % Change
2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2002-03 -2003-04
Number of completed research projects 3 6 5 7 -
Number of research hours undertaken by clinical staff 1,800 2,400 2,400 1,916 ↑25%
Number of developments in clinical practice introduced
as a result of research findings 3 5 3 3 -
Percentage of clinical staff successfully completing research
and/or research training courses 10% 10% 10.5% 11.4% ↓12%
Number of scholarly articles published in refereed journals and books 20 19* 35 25 ↓28%
* At 30 June 2005, 13 journal articles remained in press.
1 x book; 25 journal articles, 16 journal articles,
4 x chapters in books; 2 books and 2 books,
14 x journal articles 8 chapters in books 7 chapters in books
31

Corporate Support and Development
Forensicare provided specialist advice to four Australian jurisdictions and one overseas
government on a fee for service basis in 2004-2005.
In addition to meeting the increasing demand from courts for psychiatric and
psychological reports, Forensicare prepared 52 reports requested by the Office of Public
Prosecutions during the year on fitness to plead or the mental impairment defence
under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried Act) 1997.
32
The work necessary to implement the International Financial Reporting Standards
from 1 July 2005 was completed.

Strategic objectives
• Provide high quality, relevant and
timely advice to Government.
• Provide high quality, efficient and
effective support services across the
organisation.
• Identify service development
opportunities and submit appropriate
proposals to Government.
• Increase community awareness and
understanding of forensic mental health
issues.
Challenges
• Manage the increasing demand for
services without compromising the
quality of services and care.
• Ensure that forensic mental health
is sufficiently resourced to meet the
continued and increasing demand for
services from the criminal justice and
general mental health systems.
• Fully implement program changes to
meet the full spectrum of offender
need.
How we plan to succeed in 2005-2006
Our plans include –
With the agreement of the Department
of Human Services, review and resubmit
a funding proposal for the development
of a combined secure extended
care/medium-secure forensic hospital
(with approx 100 bed capacity)
With the agreement of the Department
of Human Services (DHS), prepare and
submit a funding proposal to DHS to
expand the Community Forensic Mental
Health Service to meet the documented
growth in demand for specialist community
forensic mental health services.
Seek approval from Monash University to
establish a Centre for Forensic Behavioural
Sciences at Monash University, School of
Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological
Medicine.
Continue the curriculum development
and establishment of an accredited postgraduate
course in forensic behavioural
science with Monash University (for
specialist clinicians and those in area
mental health services, corrections, law,
teaching, child protection and juvenile
justice). Partner with NSW Justice Health
to tailor the teaching program to markets
outside Victoria.
Continue to seek funding to implement
wide ranging environmental sustainability
initiatives across the organisation.
Subject to funding, continue the
redevelopment of information technology
based management systems, for
operational, planning and research
purposes.
Continue to endeavour to influence the
development of a more rational, effective
and efficient health service arrangement
for men and women in Victorian prisons.
PROFILE
Corporate Support and Development is the
direct responsibility of the Chief Executive
Officer and provides organisation-wide –
• financial and administrative functions
• advice and planning
• service development
• community education and promotion
KEY OUTCOMES
PROPOSAL – COMBINED
SECURE EXTENDED
CARE/MEDIUM SECURE
FORENSIC HOSPITAL
In response to the critical service capacity
shortfalls in both forensic and general
mental health services, Forensicare
advocated strongly for agreement by
Government for the funding of a new
100 bed ‘medium secure’ hospital. This
innovative concept provides for a significant
expansion in secure ‘extended care’
capacity for area services across the state,
while concurrently addressing the
escalating demand for forensic services.
The requirements of civil patients needing
secure extended care overlap with those
requiring intensive treatment and
rehabilitation in relation to the Crimes
(Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be
Tried) Act and the Sentencing Act.
The service model envisaged entails a
single secure inpatient care system,
incorporating the existing high secure
Thomas Embling Hospital, the proposed
100 bed medium secure facility, plus a
strengthened community treatment and
after-care capability. This model will
facilitate much needed capability sharing
between area mental health services and
Forensicare.
This project is likely to involve a minimum
three year timeframe from funding approval
to commissioning. Demand pressures on
both area services and Forensicare suggest
this should be an urgent priority for
Government.
33

PROPOSAL – STAGED
EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY
FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES
In tandem with the discussions held regarding
the development of a combined secure
extended care/medium secure forensic hospital
(see previous page), Forensicare advocated for
a simultaneous expansion of all community
based forensic services. A proposal has been
prepared confirming that the demand for
services over the past five years has had a
significant impact on our Community Forensic
Mental Health Service. The proposal, which
incorporates a staged approach to expansion,
acknowledges that enhancements to our
community capability and capacity are vital,
and integral to an expanded secure inpatient
service.
FIVE YEAR PLAN 2004-2008
Implementation of initiatives in the Five Year
Plan, which was developed in 2003-2004
and received the general support of all key
stakeholders, continued during the year. With
the exception of the high cost initiatives, most
initiatives detailed in the Plan had been put in
place at 30 June 2005. Implementation of
the high cost initiatives, the most significant
being the proposed new medium secure
hospital, await Government decisions on
funding.
ACCREDITED TRAINING
PROGRAM
An accredited tertiary training program has long
been identified as a requirement to ensure the
long term sustainability of our high capabiity
specialist clinical workforce. A framework for a
staged academic program, beginning with a 12
month certificate course and including an
advanced diploma and Masters Degree, was
finalised during the year.
Curriculum development for the certificate was
strategically broadened from its initial focus on
the workforce needs of forensic mental health
clinicians to those of the public sector-wide
‘forensic’ workforce, ie. child protection, juvenile
justice, corrections, police, etc. A workshop was
held in February 2005 where invited senior
representatives of the above workforces provided
input into curriculum content.
The certificate course curriculum development
is progressing quickly, and incorporating the
broader workforce requirements above. It is
expected to be offered through Monash
University and Forensicare in the 2006
academic year.
ACADEMIC CENTRE
Negotiations with Monash University
regarding the establishment of an academic
centre for forensic mental health training and
research have progressed well. The vision of
this academic platform from one specific to
forensic mental health has been broadened to
‘forensic behavioural science’. This change is
designed to facilitate a wider scope of the
‘forensic’ workforce related training and
research activities.
Informal agreement has been obtained with
Monash University for creation of this body,
to be known as ‘The Victorian Centre for
Forensic Behavioural Science’, in 2005-
2006. Funding has been obtained from
Monash University for the employment of
a senior research officer and a consultant
to develop a business plan for the Centre.
It is anticipated that the business plan will
be completed in late 2005, when it will be
discussed with both the Department of
Human Services and Monash University.
Subject to the necessary agreements, the new
Centre will be established as part of Monash
University, and be co-located with the
Thomas Embling Hospital or on the Monash
University, Clayton campus.
5th INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF FORENSIC
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
CONFERENCE - MELBOURNE
2005
At the request of the International
Association of Forensic Mental Health
Services (based in Canada), Forensicare
hosted the 5th Annual Conference of the
Association in Melbourne on 18-21 April
2005. This was the first time that the
Annual Conference has been held outside
the northern hemisphere. The conference
was opened by The Hon. Bronwyn Pike,
MLC, Minister for Health, and The Hon.
Rob Hulls, Attorney-General, officially
welcomed delegates at the Welcome
Reception, held at Queens Hall,
Parliament House.
Approximately 400 people from 17
countries attended the conference.
Delegates were drawn from Europe, United
States, Canada and Asia, together with
representatives from Australia and New
Zealand. Forensicare staff from all clinical
disciplines presented 23 papers at the
conference.
Keynote speakers were –
Martin Narey, Chief Executive Officer,
National Offender Management Services,
Home Office, UK (The Challenge of
Reducing Reoffending – The English
Experience)
W Lawrence Fitch, JD, Director of Forensic
Services, Mental Hygiene Administration,
Maryland, USA (Imprisonment and
Forensic Mental Health Services in USA –
Service Drivers, Issues and Challenges)
Professor Patrick D McGorry,
Professor/Director of the ORYGEN Youth
Health, Australia (Psychosocial Impact of
Emerging Mental Disorder in Young People
– Opportunities for Prevention)
Professor Paul E Mullen, Professor, Forensic
Psychiatry at Monash University, and
Clinical Director, Forensicare (Mass Killers)
Professor James Ogloff, Foundation
Professor of Clinical Forensic Psychology
at Monash University, and Director of
Psychological Services, Forensicare
(Problem Behaviour – Moving Beyond a
Narrow Focus on Mental Illness in Forensic
Mental Health Services)
Delegate feedback confirmed that the
conference was highly successful in terms of
both the academic program content and the
associated social program, which provided
a range of opportunities for informal
information sharing and networking.
The Minister for Health, The Hon. Bronwyn
Pike, MLC, officially opened the conference
34

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH
A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS
RELEASED FROM PRISON
Concern about the potential relapse and
reoffending of men and women with a
serious mental illness released from prison
has engaged Forensicare for some time.
Two research proposals aimed at scoping
the extent of the problem and its
dimensions were initiated during the year.
The first, a small sample study, will occur
early in 2005-2006, and the second,
a large scale follow-up study, will be
undertaken over the next three years.
In addition, the Department of Human
Services provided informal advice that
funding for one clinician will be made
available to actively engage high risk
prisoners with a serious mental illness prior
to their release from prison. The clinician,
who will commence in the latter half of
2005, will also be responsible for brokering
after-care arrangements to facilitate
treatment continuity, by effectively
transferring treatment to the appropriate
area mental health service following the
prisoners release from custody.
VICTIMS OF CRIME
Forensicare has a statutory mandate to
work with victims of crime, providing
assessment and support (s.117C(1)(e),
Mental Health Act 1986). The Department
of Justice re-tendered the services provided
by all victims support agencies in 2004,
and following this, Forensicare contacted
all agencies to offer a secondary support
service. We have subsequently established
a Victims Services portfolio, headed by one
of our most experienced forensic
psychologists. Working in collaboration with
the Victims Support Agency (Department
of Justice), Forensicare is now accepting
referrals for specialist assessment and
advice to support service providers.
Although this service is embryonic,
Forensicare has a firm commitment to
working with victims of crime and the
ongoing development of this program.
CARE PLAN ASSESSMENTS
VICTORIA
Initially established in 2003-2004, this
joint venture initiative with Australian
Community Support Organisation (ACSO)
has seen major redevelopment during the
year.
As part of the evolution of the Victorian
Government’s Multiple and Complex Needs
Initiative, the focus of Care Plan
Assessments Victoria was modified from
clinical assessment and case planning
to a more social systems approach. Given
the complexity of clients referred for
assessment, and the requirement that
a care plan be developed, Care Plan
Assessments Victoria moved to a more
holistic model with increased emphasis
on service systems issues.
Forensicare and ACSO have developed an
effective partnership and work closely with
the Multiple and Complex Needs Panel,
and its Chair, Professor Margaret Hamilton.
ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT
• Discussion Papers - Service
Development; Interim Measures
to Manage Demand for Services
Papers were prepared that addressed
the need for an expanded secure
inpatient capacity for both forensic
and area mental health services, and
strategies for managing the increasing
demand for services, in our inpatient
and community services, in the
interim. These papers are the subject
of ongoing discussion with the
Department of Human Services
and the Department of Justice.
• Senate Select Committee on Mental
Health
Following a public call for submissions,
Forensicare prepared a submission on
Forensic Mental Health- Working with
Offenders with a Mental Illness for the
Senate Select Committee on Mental
Health. The terms of reference
established by the Senate Select
Committee were broad ranging, and
the Forensicare submission addressed
the matters that related directly to,
or impacted on, forensic mental health
services. Together with raising issues
of relevance to Forensicare, the
submission included a range of
recommendations to address identified
service delivery gaps. The Senate
Select Committee invited a number of
agencies who made a submission to
appear at the public hearings that the
Committee is holding around Australia.
Forensicare has been invited to appear
before the Senate Select Committee,
in Melbourne in July 2005.
FEE-FOR-SERVICE AND
OTHER EXTERNAL SERVICE
PROVISION
The demand from both interstate and
overseas forensic mental health services
for the provision of specialist support and
advice from Forensicare continued. Major
activities during the year were –
• Specialist consultant forensic
psychiatric service provision to the
north coast of Tasmania continues on a
fee for service basis, for the Tasmanian
Government.
• Clinical social work supervision
(by video link) to Tasmania’s forensic
mental health social workers has been
established on a fee for service basis.
• A major review of the Northern Territory
forensic mental health service was
undertaken on a fee for service basis.
• Fee for service training has been
provided for the Tasmanian
Government and the ACT Government.
• Assistance has continued to be
provided to both the NSW Government
(Justice Health) and the Tasmanian
Government in relation to their new
secure forensic hospital redevelopment.
• Specialist consulting services on the
protection of ‘persons of importance’
were provided to the Home Office,
United Kingdom
INTERNATIONAL AND
INTERSTATE VISITORS
During 2004-2005 we hosted visits from –
• Deputy Permanent Secretary, Home
Office (National Offender Management
Service), UK
• Rampton High Secure Hospital, UK
• Mental Health and Criminal Justice
Portfolio Holders, South African
Government
• Mental Health Department, New
Zealand
• Waikato Health Board, New Zealand
• Minister for Health, Victoria
• Attorney-General, Victoria
• Health Department, NSW
• Justice Health, NSW
• Senator Tierney, Senator for NSW
• Minister for Health, WA
• Director-General, Department
of Justice, WA
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
The implementation of initiatives detailed in
the Quality Improvement Plan 2004-2005
was ongoing during the year. Achievements
include –
• Amending and upgrading aggression
management training in response to
research regarding best practice
models. The amendments incorporate
35

36
changes to physical intervention
techniques, integration of risk
assessment and management and
evidence based practice regarding
violence reduction. The length of time
allocated for staff training in aggression
management at induction has been
doubled, with all direct care staff now
receiving 2 full days of training within
6 weeks of appointment.
• Reviewing the Clinical and Security
components of the Risk Register at the
Thomas Embling Hospital to enhance
the overall risk management system
and processes. Further expansion of
the Risk Register will be progressed
in the coming 12 months.
• Developing and implementing a Critical
Incident Operational Review (Root
Cause Analysis) system to investigate
Category 1 and significant Category 2
incidents. A total of 10 senior staff
undertook training in conducting a
Critical Incident Operational Review
(CIOR) and these staff have also
participated in desk top exercises
utilising the developed framework.
Seven CIORs have been conducted,
and a manual How to Conduct a
Critical Incident Operational Review
has been written for the organisation.
CLINICAL BENCHMARKING
The benchmarking consortium, comprising
Queensland, South Australia and Victorian
forensic mental health services, met in
May 2005 to analyse the data that was
collected on 30 June 2004 and review
the data set.
It was agreed at the meeting that the data
was preliminary, and as such, could not be
utilised to draw any definitive conclusions.
Further discrepancies regarding the scope
of the data were identified, which
predominantly related to the fact that one
facility is stand alone and the other
facilities are co-located and integrated
within a larger mental health service.
These issues now appear to have been
satisfactorily resolved.
With the establishment of a National
Mental Health benchmarking project, of
which there is a Forensic Mental Health
specialist group, further benchmarking by
the consortium has been suspended, in
anticipation that consortium members will
be involved with the newly established
group.
OUTCOME MEASUREMENT
In addition to the standard outcome
measures introduced by Forensicare in
2003-2004, the intensive rehabilitation
unit at Thomas Embling Hospital (Daintree)
trialled the ‘Readiness for Community’ scale
during the year.
While outcome measurement data is now
being collected, it appears that it is not
being effectively utilised in treatment and
care planning across all mental health
services. To address this, the Department
of Human Services has provided funding
for the creation of a number of ‘Quality
Through Outcomes’ (QUATRO) projects
to identify ways in which outcome
measurement data can be more effectively
utilised in the provision of clinical services.
These projects are cluster based, and
Forensicare is participating in the Eastern
cluster QUATRO project. Work has
commenced by this group, and a project
outline developed.
HEALTH INFORMATION
SERVICES
Health Information Services activities
during the year included –
• assisting in the design of a database
to monitor reports required for those
patients who fall under the Crimes
(Mental Impairment and Unfitness
to be Tried) Act 1997. The data base
captures information on people with
Custodial Supervision Orders and Non-
Custodial Supervision Orders, together
with comprehensive details of their
supervision orders.
• conducting and formally documenting
ongoing audits on the quality of data
in the information systems across the
organisation. Five audits were
undertaken on ‘Outstanding Diagnoses’,
two on ‘Active Clients’ and one on the
Patient Leave Data Base. Regular audits
were also conducted throughout the
year on the format of the medical record
when patients are discharged.
• providing inservice training to clinicial
staff with regard to data entry onto
RAPID (the data base used by the
Department of Human to capture
mental health data across the state),
and training of new administrative staff
at Community Forensic Mental Health
Service on RAPID.
• student placements - two Health
Information Management students
from LaTrobe University undertook a
placement with the Health Information
Service at Forensicare in 2004-2005
(in 2003-2004 there was one student).
Planned for 2005-2006 –
• conduct an audit on the location of
medical records, together with regular
audits on outstanding diagnoses.
• Purchase and implement a reporting
suite so that information can be
accessed from RAPID.
SECURITY
No significant security breaches occurred
at Thomas Embling Hospital during 2004-
2005. Work continued on upgrading
computer technology, most of which has
now been running 24 hours a day for five
years. Effective barrier mechanisms at the
Thomas Embling Hospital, which contribute
to providing a safe and secure environment
for staff, patients and visitors, prevented
1,188 items that are prohibited from
entering the Hospital during the year (these
items range from cutlery and cameras
through to scissors and knives). Security
staff worked collaboratively with
management and clinical staff throughout
the year to ensure that the hospital
continues to be a safe and secure facility.
The key security outcomes for the year –
Security Provider
Following a public tender process, GSL
Custodial Services Pty Ltd was selected to
provide security services from March 2005
– March 2008, with a possible extension
for two years, based on performance.
Iris Identification System
The Iris Identification System, which
provides a reliable and efficient means
of identifying people on entry and exit
at Thomas Embling Hospital, was
implemented on 30 August 2004,
following a six month trial. The introduction
of the system has significantly enhanced
the level of security operating at Thomas
Embling Hospital.
In addition to recording the movement of
people and keys within the hospital, the Iris
Identification System provides a range of
valuable management reports.
Security Audits
The following security audits were
conducted during the year to review our
performance and enhance security –
• security at the Community Forensic
Mental Health Service
• tools, cutlery and equipment within
Thomas Embling Hospital
• Iris Identification System – postimplementation
review.

The recommendations included in the audit
reports are currently being implemented.
Personal Identification
Different coloured lanyards for staff and
visitors were introduced during the year to
enhance security within the Hospital. This
provides for the quick identification of
visitors in times of emergency and enables
patients (who don’t wear lanyards) to be
immediately identified.
Contractors
A security training program and a
Contractors’ Handbook (which details all
security requirements) was developed in
2004 for all external contractors working in
the hospital. All contractors, many of whom
require the use of tools and other
equipment within the hospital, are now
required to attend the training program
and indicate that they have read and
understood the handbook prior to
commencing work.
Security Drills and Training
All clinical staff are required to participate
in security drills, which are held monthly,
generally without notice. Our security
provider, GSL Custodial Services, is
required to respond to each drill within
their contracted benchmarks. Feedback
on each drill is circulated to staff and an
outcome report submitted to Council.
During 2004-2005, security issues
involving the entire hospital were covered
in the drills.
LEGAL SERVICES
Forensicare operates under a complex
legislative environment that governs its
relationships with government and the
services it supplies to patients and clients.
The Mental Health Act 1986 and the
Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness
to be Tried) Act 1997 set out the legal
framework for treatment for patients
and clients.
CUSTODIAL SUPERVISION
ORDERS
As noted elsewhere (see Chief Executive
Officer’s Report, page 9), there has been
significant activity in the area of patients
admitted under the Crimes (Mental
Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act
1997 (CMIA).
During the year –
• 7 patients were admitted to Thomas
Embling Hospital on Custodial
Supervision Orders (CSO), compared
to eleven in 2003-2004. These orders
are made following a finding of ‘not
guilty by reason of mental impairment’
at a person’s trial. At 30 June 2005
however, there were 2 people subject
to Custodial Supervision Orders made
in late June who remained in prison
awaiting a bed vacancy at Thomas
Embling Hospital. It became common
in 2004-2005 that if a person is in
prison when the court makes a CSO,
that person is required to wait in prison
for 3-4 weeks before a bed becomes
available at the Hospital.
• 4 patients moved from the Thomas
Embling Hospital to live full time in the
community on extended leave. Two of
these patients had utilised the Jardine
Transition Program (page 21) prior to
applying for extended leave.
• 2 patients in the community had their
extended leave suspended due to a
relapse of their illness and were
admitted to Thomas Embling Hospital.
NON-CUSTODIAL
SUPERVISION ORDERS
• 8 Non Custodial Supervision Orders
(NCSO) were made for new offenders
(four more than 2003-2004).
• 6 people on an NCSO were readmitted
to hospital due to deterioration in their
mental state. Three were admitted to
their local mental health service, which
reflects the growing trend for this group
of patients to be supervised by
Forensicare, but treated on a regular
basis by their local service. Three of
these admissions were to Thomas
Embling Hospital, and 2 were
admissions for a period over 3 months.
One of patients readmitted remained in
Thomas Embling Hospital for almost
the entire reporting period.
• Of the 40 clients in the community on
NCSO’s at 30 June 2005, 33 are
supervised by Forensicare’s Community
Forensic Mental Health Service, and 7
supervised by area mental health
services.
• 1 person on a NCSO had their Order
revoked. They will continue to reside
in the community, without compulsory
treatment under the CMIA.
• The increasing trend for NCSO’s to be
made by courts following a trial for less
serious offences has continued. Only
1 of the 8 NCSO’s made was for a
person who had been found not guilty
of attempted murder by reason
of their mental impairment. The
remaining orders, made by Judges
in the County Court, were for a range
of lesser offences including arson,
obtaining financial advantage by
deception, possessing equipment to
traffick drugs or assault-type charges.
During the year there were 17 Court
hearings for people on Supervision Orders
under the CMIA that involved Forensicare
staff. Each Court hearing involves
considerable staff input and has a
significant impact on the existing workload
of all staff involved.
Period Thomas Embling Hospital Community
Custodial Supervision Extended Non-Custodial
Orders Leave Order
30 June 2005 52 6 40
30 June 2004 48 6 33
30 June 2003 40 4 23
30 June 2002 36 6 19
30 June 2001 28 11 13
37

38
COURT REPORTS
Forensicare has continued to see a strong
demand for our services in the area of
Psychiatric and Psychological Reports
requested by the Courts.
We have begun to formally monitor the
number and type of requests which we
receive from the Office of Public
Prosecutions on issues of fitness to plead
or the mental impairment defence under
the CMIA. In the last year there were 52
requests for reports, a considerable number
of which were for accused people who did
not have a psychiatric diagnosis - 17% of
the requests (ie. 9) were for reports on
people who had an intellectual disability,
and 11% (ie. 6) were for people with
dementia-related conditions. A more
detailed analysis of requests and
subsequent outcomes will be undertaken
in 2005-2006 with a view to managing
this demand on our service.
The impact on the organisation of preparing
these reports is considerable. The preparation
of a court report is time consuming, due to
the volume of material which psychiatrists
and psychologists must examine prior to
preparing a report, and the time spent in
court. Where the mental impairment or
fitness of an accused person remains an
issue at trial, psychiatrists and psychologists
are often required to give evidence.
LAW REFORM AND TRAINING
Considerable changes were made to the
Mental Health Act 1986 in 2004-2005
that affected all mental health services.
Relevant training sessions were conducted
for all staff, utilising material adapted from
that provided by the Department of Human
Services. We continue to provide regular
training through our staff development
program on the criminal law and the CMIA,
and have developed a new training
package on confidentiality and privacy.
We have also been involved in discussions
with the Departments of Human Services
and Justice on changes proposed to the
Sentencing Act in relation to Hospital
Orders or Hospital Security Orders under
that Act. Our views were also sought by
the Department of Justice on the changes
that are proposed to CMIA, following the
Victorian Law Reform Commission’s
recommendations in its Final Report
on Defences to Homicide.
These separate reviews suggest that the
issue of mental disorder, criminal
responsibility and sentencing should be
subject to a broad public review. There is
currently no articulated or consistent policy
framework which underpins sentencing
responses to mental disorder in Victoria.
If humane and safe outcomes are to be
achieved for the community, a consistent
and accepted framework for the diversion
and sentencing of mentally ill people in the
criminal justice system is required.
Forensicare made a submission to the
Australian Law Reform Commission’s
Inquiry into Federal Sentencing Legislation,
and we have been involved in ongoing
consultation with the Commission about
how the Commonwealth Crimes Act 1914
provisions on mental impairment impact on
Victorian offenders and patients.
JUDICIAL AND LEGAL LINKS
Forensicare acknowledges the need to
maintain strong links with the Courts and
the Office of Public Prosecutions. We
continued to provide formal tours of
Thomas Embling Hospital to solicitors from
the Office of Public Prosecutions, and
(through the Judicial College) 16 Judges
and Magistrates toured the Hospital in
2004-2005 to gain a greater understanding
of the work undertaken by Forensicare.
Following an initiative commenced in
2003-2004, we participated in the formal
training and development program for
Judges’ Associates from the County Court
on issues of mental illness and the criminal
justice system, which included a tour
of the Thomas Embling Hospital and our
community service. Based on a
recommendation in the Victorian Law Reform
Commission’s Final Report on Defences to
Homicide, we continued to provide training
to legal practitioners on the operation of the
CMIA. This has included formal training
sessions conducted for the Law Institute of
Victoria and the Criminal Bar Association.
CORPORATE SUPPORT
In addition to the legal support and advice
provided to all staff of the organisation, the
legal unit provided input and support to a
range of other activities that occurred
within the corporate area of Forensicare
during 2004-2005. Forensicare publicly
tendered and appointed providers for
Security, Food, Cleaning, Pharmacy and
Pathology contracts at the Thomas Embling
Hospital. Legal input and advice was
provided in the development of tender
documents, probity advice and the
development of new contracts with
providers.
An additional part time (0.5 EFT) corporate
lawyer, Carol Toop, was recruited to enable
the legal unit to meet the demand for legal
advice and services across the organisation.
This additional support has enabled a
compliance register to be established to
monitor our compliance with the different
legislation that impacts on our work. In the
coming year this will be developed further
to incorporate more advanced audit tools,
and will be integrated with our risk
management activities.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL
REPORTING STANDARDS
(IFRS)
The implementation of International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) was
the major financial initiative undertaken by
Forensicare in 2004-2005. Following a
direction from the Victorian Government,
Forensicare undertook the work necessary
to implement the IFRS for reporting from
1 July 2005. Previous reporting, and the
reporting in this 2004-2005 Annual
Report, follows the Australian Standards
(AGAAP).
To assist the adoption of the IFRS within the
organisation, Forensicare developed an
Implementation Methodology that included –
• Project Charter
• Stakeholder Analysis Report
• Financial Evaluation – Approach
• General IT Change Management
• Progress Reporting –
• Department of Treasury and
Finance – IFRS Implementation
Reporting Milestones
• Forensicare Internal Reporting
• Internal Audit of Transition to IFRS
Forensicare complied with all relevant
requirements to implement the IFRS from
1 July 2005 (see Note 21, Financial
Statements, pages 73-75).
BUDGET MANAGEMENT
A Long-Term Budget Financial Model
was developed in 2004-2005 to assist
management determine funding
requirements and to formulate strategies
leading into the 2005-2006 budget
process. This model, which will be fully
implemented in the coming year, will
ensure that future budgets contain
sustainable financial resource allocations,
which are aligned to the strategic priorities
detailed in the Corporate Plan.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Due to our relatively small size, Forensicare
continues to suffer disadvantage in terms of
information management system capability.
Although some important progress was
made during the year (see below), the
underlying problem remains unresolved.
Forensicare has no integrated patient
information system, and we are therefore
reliant on numerous (mainly ACCESS) data
bases. This creates serious problems in
efficiency, data protection and compromised
operational and planning capacity. We will
continue our endeavours to progress this
issue in 2005-2006.
Activities undertaken by Information
Technology Services at Forensicare during
the year include –
• Upgrading of Infrastructure –
• 60 computers across Forensicare
• 2 servers – Payroll & Financial
Services
• New Program Installations –
• CMIA - a data base to enable
Forensicare to monitor the
treatment of Crimes (Mental
Impairment and Unfitness to be
Tried) Act patients across Victoria.
The data base will also enable
Forensicare to monitor our
legislative compliance.
• RiskMan - a web-based Incident
and Risk Management program
that supports multi-campus and
direct electronic reporting at the
point of incident, and incorporates
powerful workflow features to
assist the processes of incident
notification and management.
• VGEMS - the Victorian Government
Electronic Messaging Service that
provides a secure and reliable,
store and forward electronic
communication system between all
Victorian government departments
and agencies.
• Information Technology Security – the
Firewall was upgraded to include
Intrusion Prevention Software. There
were no successful virus attacks in
Forensicare during 2004-2005.
• Intranet redevelopment - In response
to staff concerns, the Information
Management Working Group
commenced the redevelopment of the
intranet. This was undertaken in-house
with very little external assistance, and
staff involved are congratulated for the
extraordinary contribution they made to
the success of this project. The new
intranet will be released in a staged
roll-out, commencing in the first
quarter of 2005-2006.
• Communication links - Forensicare
participated in the whole of
Government tender process for
communication links, including both
voice and data communications. As a
result, Forensicare will gain competitive
pricing for communications and enable
us to upgrade our communication links
to our wide area network at no
additional cost. The role-out of the
new communications agreement will
commence early in 2005-2006.
PAYROLL SERVICES
Forensicare is continuing to implement the
Payglobal Human Recourses Information
system (HIRS) to improve efficiency.
Key improvements in 2004-2005 –
• Payslips are now able to be forwarded
electronically to staff (this has reduced
the printing of payslips by up to 20%).
• The introduction of an automatic
process of capturing and reporting all
attendance (replacing the former
manual processing) has improved
accuracy in calculating time and
attendance payments.
• Clear and concise position
management reports are now readily
available.
• An automated rostering system was
implemented (connected to the time
and attendance system above), which
passes accurate information on rosters
and attendance to payroll.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
An organisation-wide asset maintenance
software program was developed and will
be installed in September-October 2005.
This will facilitate improved reporting
processes, enabling staff to directly input
requests and data and check on the status
of requests.
• PROCUREMENT
A fully electronic requisition system
was developed, piloted and evaluated
during the year. The evaluation, which
confirmed that the new system
increased the efficiency of the
requisitioning process, while decreasing
the use of paper within Forensicare,
was subsequently supported by
management. The full implementation
of the new system will commence in
July 2005.
• MAINTENANCE
Under a contractual arrangement,
maintenance across Forensicare is the
responsibility of Adesse Pty Ltd
(formerly Erin Group). The performance
of Adesse is monitored on an ongoing
basis to ensure that there is full
compliance with all established
preventative, essential services
equipment and general maintenance
obligations, under the relevant
Australian Standard, Building Control
Commission, Guide Note.
• LOGISTICS AND FLEET
MANAGEMENT
Forensicare maintains a fleet of 23
vehicles, primarily for the transport
of patients and clients. The policy on
vehicle changeover was reviewed and
amended during the year to provide
for an increased return on vehicles.
In addition, a proposal has been
developed for the purchase of an energy
efficient vehicle during the coming year.
The use of such a vehicle would be
closely monitored to assess suitability
and organisation-wide applicability.
• ASSET MANAGEMENT
A full asset condition report, covering
all operational and administrative sites,
is being developed in conjunction with
Adesse Pty Ltd, the maintenance
contractor at Forensicare. It is
anticipated that the report will be
completed in late 2005.
39

HOW WE MEASURED OUR CORPORATE SERVICES PERFORMANCE IN 2004-2005
Our Performance Measures are established annually by Department of Human Services and can vary from year to year. Performance
targets established for this program area are small and we are therefore unable to reliably calculate the % change in our annual
performance.
Performance Measures Performance Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes
Targets 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002- 2003
Completion of quarterly reports and submission to Minister by the 21st day
after end of reporting period (ie 21 Oct, 21 Jan., 21 April, 21 July). 100% 100% 100% 100%
Number of responses for specialist advice and information to DHS
and other government agencies. 5 3 6 2
Number of submissions that address gaps in service in forensic mental health,
public mental health and justice environments. 3 4 4 4
Completion of Quarterly Security Audits and report to DHS by the 21st day
after completion of audit (ie. 21 August, 21 Nov., 21 Feb., 21 May). 100% 100% 100% 100%
Achieve service requirements within allocated funding. Target not required Surplus achieved Reduced highest Achieved
with $1m turnaround projected deficit
on approved $1.3m of approx $2m
deficit budget to less than
$0.7m.
“
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ………
Forensicare’s staff at the Melbourne Assessment Prison (MAP) became concerned
that prisoners with a mental illness could become ‘lost’ to mental health follow-up
when they were transferred to another prison. A computer-based system was
subsequently developed by staff to track the progress of these prisoners within the
prisons operated by Corrections Victoria (11 in total).
When a patient is discharged from the mental health program at the MAP,
information is entered on a data base that alerts Forensicare when an identified
prisoner has been received at a regional prison. The data base is continually
monitored by Forensicare to ensure that identified prisoners are reviewed by a
Forensicare psychiatrist at their new location in a timely manner.
By addressing the concern that prisoners being discharged from the Acute
Assessment Unit at MAP may become ‘lost’ from mental health follow-up in the
prison health system, the development of the data base has filled a gap in the
prison health continuum of care.
40

ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
Environmental Value Statement –
Forensicare is committed to responsible
environmental management and operating
in a manner that protects the environment
and is consistent with state and national
standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
A comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2005-2007 was completed by
Forensicare in 2004, and implemented at the beginning of 2005. The full-year effect of the
strategy will be evident in the coming year. The strategy promotes environmental awareness
among Forensicare staff, patients, clients and visitors, and details initiatives to improve our
environmental performance over the coming three years in the following areas –
• Energy Conservation
• Waste Management
• Infection Control
• Transport
Two rainwater tanks were installed during the year,
providing water for the garden area at the entrance
to Thomas Embling Hospital and the cleaning
of Forensicare’s car fleet.
41

ENERGY CONSERVATION
Forensicare was offered a loan by the Department of Human Services, repayable over
5 years, to implement a range of initiatives that had previously been identified by
Forensicare. A decision on this loan offer will be made early in 2005-2006, and if
supported by Council, implementation of the following initiatives will commence
immediately –
• Air Conditioning
• Lighting
• Solar Heating
• General energy conserving devices
Units of energy used
Energy use within Forensicare increased during the past year, primarily as a result of the
commissioning of the 15 bed Jardine Transition Program, and installation of additional
high impact lighting in the Thomas Embling Hospital car park (in keeping with an
Occupational Health and Safety recommendation to increase safety measures for staff
exiting the hospital at night).
2004/2005 2003/2004 Percentage Movement
Electricity usage 50,158,170 47,336,177 ↑6.0%
Gas usage 8,237 7,542 ↑9.2%
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The issue of waste collection is under review by the Environmental Strategy Committee. In
a secure hospital however, there is a need to limit traffic entering the hospital and a range
of issues have to be addressed prior to a new waste collection system being introduced.
The Committee is working towards resolving these issues and implementing an enhanced
waste recycling system during the coming year.
PAPER USE
The use of desk-side recycling boxes was trialled in a small Corporate area during the year,
and will be considered for organisation-wide implementation in 2005-2006. Staff are
continually encouraged to recycle paper and double-side photocopying and printing to
reduce our paper use and improve our recycling performance.
Reams of paper used
2004/2005 2003/2004 Percentage Movement
Paper use 2,438 2,502 ↓2.6%
Total Units of Paper Recycled
Forensicare recycles a large quantity of high-grade office paper through the 120 - 240-litre
paper recycling bins located throughout our buildings.
2004/2005 2003/2004 Percentage Movement
Paper recycled per kg 3,860 3,450 ↑11.9%
WATER CONSUMPTION
Two rainwater tanks were installed during the year, providing water for the cleaning of
Forensicare’s fleet vehicles and the garden area surrounding the reception entry point to
the hospital.
A range of other water saving initiatives was identified, some of which are covered by the
Department of Human Services loan offer. We will continue to seek funding to implement
all initiatives identified, including the installation of rainwater tanks to supply toilets within
the hospital and improving the garden sprinkler control system.
42

Units of water consumed
2004/2005 2003/2004 Percentage Movement
Water consumed – KL 11,422 12,543 ↓8.9%
TRANSPORTATION
The use of vehicles and fuel was closely monitored during the year, and strategies are
being developed to reduce the use of fuel consumption. The purchase of a fuel-efficient
vehicle for the Forensicare vehicle fleet is one of the proposed initiatives. There was an
increase in both fuel consumption and kilometres travelled during the year, as a result
of the establishment of Care Plan Assessments Victoria (see page 35). This is a statewide
clinical outreach service that commenced operating in August 2004. Fuel consumption
and travelling for this service has not previously been included in Forensicare’s data.
2004/2005 2003/2004 Percentage Movement
Fuel consumption 54,003 44,431 ↑21.5%
Kilometres travelled 407,968 320,751 ↑27.2%
CLINICAL WASTE
The clinical waste generated across Forensicare is disposed of safely and securely in
accordance with guidelines established by the National Health and Medical Research
Council. The disposal of sharps is closely monitored by the Infection Control Committee.
Forensicare provides education on the correct use of vaccutainer blood collection and the
use of winged safety needles with retractable shields. Reusable sharp containers are used
within Forensicare to provide a safe system of disposal. The containers selected for use are
designed to prevent hands and fingers entering the main storage area of the container.
OTHER RECYCLING INITIATIVES
• Computers
A computer-recycling program was established during the year, and 60 computers were
recycled through Inforexchange and Com IT.
• Stationary Reuse
The Stationary Reuse Program, introduced in 2003-2004, has continued to reduce the
consumption of new stationary and the disposal of stationary items. Due to the success of
the program, an intranet-based notification and request form is being developed, which will
enable all staff to electronically post a message containing details of their unwanted,
useable stationery. When implemented, this initiative will further contribute to the reduction
of stationery, transport, waste and landfill costs.
• Mobile Phones
Under the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, all damaged and unusable mobile phones
within Forensicare are recycled through collection points located within the community.
During 2004-2005, Forensicare recycled 15 mobile phones.
• Batteries
As part of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, planning has commenced on the
implementation of a battery recycling program. Discussions were held with an accredited
battery recycler, and during the coming year, bins will be located throughout Forensicare
to provide for the safe recycling of batteries.
• Future Initiates
During 2005-2006 Forensicare will complete proposals for the recycling of –
• Green waste
• Computer cabling
• Computer disks
43

Corporate Governance
Forensicare is governed by a 10-member Council that is appointed by, and reports to,
the Minister for Health. The Council met 10 times during 2004-2005.
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health Council has five committees providing
specialist advice and support–
Audit Committee
Finance Committee
Quality Improvement Committee
44
Remuneration Committee
Research Committees

THE GOVERNING BODY –
THE VICTORIAN INSTITUTE
OF FORENSIC MENTAL
HEALTH COUNCIL
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health was established in December 1997
by a detailed amendment to the Mental
Health Act 1986. The amendment also
established the Victorian Institute of
Forensic Mental Health Council as the
governing body of the Institute. The ten
member Council is appointed by the
Minister for Health and is required to report
quarterly on the operation of the Institute.
The composition of the Council is detailed
in the enabling legislation (s117F), and
consists of the Clinical Director and Chief
Executive Officer of the Institute, together
with nominees of the Attorney-General and
the Minister for Corrections. At least one
Council member is required to be a fellow
of the Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Psychiatrists, and one person is
to have accountancy or financial
management experience.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
The Council delegates authority to the Chief
Executive Officer or to Committees, but
must never neglect its responsibility for the
outcome. Day-to-day responsibility for the
service and its success is delegated to the
Chief Executive Officer.
RETIREMENTS AND NEW
APPOINTMENTS
The following occured in 2004-2005 –
Retirement – Debbie King (retired in July
2004 as the nominee of the Minister for
Corrections)
New Appointment – David Ware (appointed
to Council in July 2004 as the nominee of
the Minister for Corrections).
COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Hon. Jim Kennan, SC
• Chair
• LLM
• Appointed as Chair to Council in May
2001 for a three year period.
Reappointed in April 2004 for a further
3 years.
• Chair of the Finance Committee and
Remuneration Committee.
• Senior Counsel practising at the
Victorian Bar, and an Adjunct Professor
of Law at Deakin University.
Michael Burt
• BA, BSW (Dist)
• Appointed to Council in April 1998.
• Chair of the Quality Improvement
Committee and member of the Finance
Committee and Research Committee
• Chief Executive Officer, Victorian
Institute of Forensic Mental Health.
The Hon. Justice Bernard Teague
• Deputy Chair
• BA, LLB (Hons)
• Initially appointed to Council in April
1998. Reappointed for 3 years in May
2001, and in July 2004 reappointed
for a further 3 years.
• Chair of the Audit Committee and
Research Committee.
• Principal Judge of the Criminal Division
of the Supreme Court of Victoria and
Deputy Chairman, Adult Parole Board.
• Attorney General’s nominee on the
Council.
Professor Paul Mullen
• MB BS, DSc., FRANZCP, FRC Psych
• Appointed to Council in April 1998.
• Member of the Quality Improvement
Committee and Research Committee
• Clinical Director, Victorian Institute of
Forensic Mental Health and Professor
of Forensic Psychiatry at Monash
University.
• Formerly Professor of Psychological
Medicine at the University of Otago
(1982–1992), and Consultant
Psychiatrist to the Royal Bethlem and
Maudsley Hospitals and Senior Lecturer
at the Institute of Psychiatry, London.
45

Dr Robert Adler
• MB BS, PhD MCrim (For Psych),
FRACP, FRANZCP
• Appointed to Council in May 2003 for
a 3 year period.
• Formerly Professor and Director, Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Service,
Royal Children's Hospital (1985-
1998).
• Consultant child and adolescent
psychiatrist in private practice;
psychiatrist, Adolescent Forensic Health
Service, Melbourne Juvenile Justice
Centre; Deputy President, Medical
Practitioners Board of Victoria.
Tony Goad
• BBus (Accountancy)
• Appointed to Council for a 3 year
period in May 2001, and reappointed
in April 2004 for a further 3 years.
• Member of the Audit Committee and
Finance Committee.
• Associate Director of a healthcare
consultancy company and formerly
Chief Finance Officer and Chief
Information Officer of the Southern
Health Care Network in Victoria.
Una Gold
• BA, BEd, MBA
• Appointed to Council for a 3 year
period in May 2001, and reappointed
in April 2004 for a further 3 years.
• Member of the Finance Committee.
• Deputy Chair of the Victorian Casino
& Gaming Authority and Chair of the
Authority’s Internal Audit Committee.
• Formerly a senior officer in the
Department of Treasury and Finance
and a consultant and a financial
analyst in private industry.
Terry Laidler
• BA (Hons), LLB, Registered Psychologist
• Initially appointed to Council in April
1998. Reappointed for 2 years in April
2001, and a further 3 year period in
May 2003.
• Member of the Remuneration
Committee.
• A psychologist and communications
consultant and formerly Associate
Professor of Communications at RMIT
and radio broadcaster.
• Member of the Victorian Civil &
Administrative Tribunal, the Adult
Parole Board, and the Boards of
VicRoads, Burnet Institute and
Windana.
Judith Player
• MA (Psychology), Registered
Psychologist
• Initially appointed to Council in April
1998. Reappointed for 2 years in April
2001, and a further 3 year period in
May 2003.
• Member of the Audit Committee.
• Psychologist and mental health
consultant; formerly Executive Director,
Association of Relatives and Friends of
the Emotionally and Mentally Ill
(ARAFEMI) Victoria Inc, and Deputy
Chair, Network for Carers of People
with a Mental Illness.
• Appointed to Council to represent the
interests of patients.
David Ware
• BA, BLaws (Hons), Barrister and
Solicitor of the Supreme Court of
Victoria.
• Appointed to Council for a three year
period in July 2004.
• Extensive experience in senior
government roles involving planning
and social development. Currently
Director, Strategic and Financial
Services Branch, Corrections Victoria,
Department of Justice.
• Nominee of the Minister for Corrections
on Council.
46

COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Five committees provide specialist advice
and support to Council. The existing
committee structures and charters will be
reviewed by Council in 2005-2006 to
ensure that corporate governance continues
to remain a priority and is supported by
strengthened structures within the
organisation.
• Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, members of which
are independent of the management of
Forensicare, meets quarterly and at any
other time as requested by a member of the
Committee or internal or external auditors.
The Committee liaises with the internal and
external auditors, reviews and approves
audit programs and evaluates the adequacy
and effectiveness of the overall governance
framework operating within Forensicare.
The full scope of Forensicare’s audit
program is detailed on page 48.
Members – Justice Bernard Teague (Chair),
Tony Goad, Judith Player
• Finance Committee
The Finance Committee reviews all
financial matters, management information
and internal control systems and approves
major purchases. The Committee meets
monthly.
Members - Jim Kennan (Chair), Michael
Burt, Tony Goad, Una Gold
• Quality Improvement Committee
The Quality Improvement Committee meets
as required to oversee the process of
system-wide accreditation and facility
security compliance. The Committee
is also responsible for the risk management
activities of Forensicare, which are
integrated with our quality systems.
Members – Michael Burt (Chair), Professor
Paul Mullen, Dr Robert Adler, together with
four staff members – Jo Chaplin, Karlyn
Chettleburgh, Grant Johnson, Margaret
Lambert.
• Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee meets as
required to review performance and
determine remuneration of executive
management.
Members – Jim Kennan (Chair), Una Gold,
Terry Laidler
• Research Committee
The Research Committee meets as required
to co-ordinate the research program. It has
responsibility for the approval of new
projects and ensuring that our research
activities are consistent with the overall
aims of the program. To ensure that our
research activities are relevant beyond the
organisation, the Committee also includes
a senior experienced researcher external
to the organisation.
Members – Justice Bernard Teague (Chair),
Michael Burt, Professor Paul Mullen,
together with an external member –
Professor Phillip Burgess, and five staff
members – Professor James Ogloff, Dr
Andrew Carroll, Karlyn Chettleburgh,
Jo Chaplin, Dr Trish Martin.
MEETING ATTENDANCES
COUNCIL FINANCE AUDIT RESEARCH QI REMUNERATION
MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS MEETINGS
Jim Kennan 9 of 10 8 of 9 1 of 1
Justice Teague 9 of 10 2 of 4 0 of 1+
Michael Burt 9 of 10 7 of 9 0 of 1 1 of 2
Paul Mullen 9 of 10 1 of 1 2 of 1
Robert Adler 6 of 10 2 of 2
Tony Goad 9 of 10 7 of 9 4 of 4
Una Gold 8 of 10 8 of 9 1 of 1
Terry Laidler 6 of 10 1 of 1
Judith Player 9 of 10 3 of 4
David Ware* 4 of 10
+ Justice Teague was a late apology at this meeting as he was unavoidably delayed in Court.
* During 2004-2005 David Ware, the representative of the Minister for Corrections, was on long service leave
for three months.
COUNCIL RULES
The Council is committed to the highest
standard of corporate governance practice
and has adopted a set of Council Rules
outlining the ethical responsibilities,
practice and conduct of Council.
ETHICS
Members of Council are required to act
with integrity at all times and in all
dealings. They are required to declare any
pecuniary interest or conflict of interest
during Council meetings and must
withdraw from proceedings where
necessary. There was one instance that
required declaration during the year.
Forensicare has developed and
implemented a Financial Code of Conduct
to assist Council and staff on matters
related to the probity of the Institute’s
financial management.
INDEPENDENT ADVICE
In pursuit of their duties, Council members,
executive officers, senior officers and senior
clinicians may seek independent advice as
required.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Council meetings are held monthly, with
the exception of December and January.
Formal minutes of all meetings recording
the decisions of Council are maintained.
Additional meetings are convened when
circumstances warrant – no additional
meetings were held in 2004-2005.
EVALUATION
In accordance with Australian Council on
Healthcare Standards EQuIP accreditation
requirements, Council undertakes an
annual self evaluation exercise. This
process will be rolled-out to all Council
Committee’s during the coming year. A
detailed questionnaire is completed by
Councillors covering Council procedures,
effectiveness of meetings and workload.
Responses are collated and discussed at
the following meeting, and relevant
initiatives implemented.
FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE
In accordance with ‘Standing Directions of
the Minister for Finance under the Financial
Management Act 1994’ (June 2003),
Forensicare has a robust and transparent
model to oversight financial management of
the organisation. It is incorporated as a
fundamental component of the governance
framework for the organisation. Within
2004-2005 the Audit and Finance
47

48
Committees focussed on enhancing the
systems of financial reporting, risk
management, internal control and the
adequacy of management reporting.
REPORTING
The Council is required to prepare an
annual Corporate Plan for the Minister to
guide the operation of the Institute over the
financial year (Mental Health Act 1986,
s.117O). The Corporate Plan must include
a Statement of Corporate Intent, a Business
Plan and financial statements for the
organisation. The Statement of Corporate
Intent is required to be included in the
Annual Report (s.117U) (see pages 76-77).
REMUNERATION
• Council
Council members eligible for payment
are remunerated in accordance with the
Guidelines for the Appointment and
Remuneration of Part-Time Non Executive
Directors of State Government Boards and
Members of Statutory Bodies and Advisory
Committees (Department of Treasury and
Finance). Members of Council who are
employed in a government capacity are
not eligible for payment.
• Executive
Contracts (which incorporate performance
requirements) and salary ranges of
executive staff of Forensicare comply
with the Government Sector Executive
Remuneration Panel Guidelines.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
• Charter
The Audit Committee of Forensicare
operates under the Audit Committee
Charter which details the purpose,
objectives and authority of the
Commitee, together with the following
areas of responsibility –
• Corporate governance
• Financial performance and
reporting processes
• Scope, performance and
independence of internal audit
• Operation and implementation of
the risk management framework
• Accountability and internal controls
of Forensicare
• Processes for the disclosure of
significant transactions
• Approval of accounting policies
• Monitoring of compliance with
laws and regulations
• Independence
All members of the Audit Committee
are independent in accordance with the
requirements of the Standing Directions
of the Minister for Finance under the
Financial Management Act 1994
(as part of the Financial Management
Package), Direction 2.2(f), Guideline 3.
Independence within the framework is
considered to be achieved by a person
who, within the last three years, has
not been employed in an executive
capacity of Forensicare or a related
organisation, has not been a principal
of a material professional advisor or
consultant, is not a material supplier or
customer, has no material contractual
relationship to Forensicare, or has not
served on the Council for a period
which could materially interfere with
the member’s ability to act in the best
interests of Forensicare.
AUDIT PROGRAM
Within Forensicare, the Audit Program
is an essential element of monitoring risk,
corporate governance, compliance, clinical
practices and financial performance. The
Audit Program encompasses -
• External Audit
The Auditor General of Victoria
provides an independent review of the
performance and accountability of the
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health to Parliament and the
community of Victoria. The Audit Act
1994 is the main legislation governing
the powers and functions of the
Auditor-General.
• Internal Audit
The international accounting firm,
Deloittes Touche Tohmatsu, are
responsible for Forensicare’s internal
audit function, which is an invaluable
resource in ensuring compliance and
improving the operations of
Forensicare.
AUDIT SCOPE
The internal audit program provides for the
evaluation of the adequacy and
effectiveness of Forensicare’s internal
controls and performance quality in
carrying out its responsibilities. The internal
audit function includes all Forensicare
programs.
AUDIT PLANNING
An Audit Plan 2004-2009 has been
developed by the internal auditors, in
conjunction with the Audit Committee. The
Audit Plan was developed using a risk
based approach, incorporating risks
identified in the Risk Management Audit
conducted in 2004-2005, and is in full
compliance with all standards.
AUDIT PROGRAM 2004-2005
The internal auditors, Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu, undertook a whole of
organisation risk management audit during
the reporting period that included input
from both management and Council.
The following Internal Audits were
undertaken in 2004-2005 –
• Financial Management Compliance
Framework
• A-IFRS (The Australian Equivalents
to International Financial Reporting
Standards)
• Information Technology Security Audit
• Taxation Compliance – Fringe Benefit
Tax (FBT), Goods and Services Tax
(GST) and Pay As You Go Tax (PAYG)
• Purchasing Card Compliance
• Probity Practices and Tender Processes
AUDIT PROGRAM 2005-2006
External
• Audit of Financial Statements – Auditor
General Victoria
Internal
• Victorian Public Sector Tax Compliance
- Internal Auditors
• General Government Purchasing Card
Compliance – Internal Auditors
• Financial Management and Reporting –
Internal Auditors
• Recruitment and Termination and
Human Resources – Internal Auditors
• Asset Management – Internal Auditors
• Management Reporting Audit – Internal
Auditors
RISK MANAGEMENT
Council is committed to ensuring that risk
is managed and mitigated throughout the
organisation. Recognising the need and
importance of developing an integrated risk
management system to manage and
mitigate risk, our internal auditors were
requested to conduct a Business Risk
Assessment of the organization. This major
task was undertaken in 2004-2005, and is
the basis upon which our Audit Plan has
been developed for the coming years.
The Business Risk Assessment conducted,
which is consistent with the Australian and

New Zealand Standard on Risk
Management AS/NZS 4360, provides
Forensicare with a clear framework for
carrying out root cause analysis of critical
incidents. The assessment, which includes
methodology to identify and manage risks,
has been submitted to Council. The
methodology has been endorsed by
Council, and implementation across the
organisation has commenced. It is
anticipated that Council will formally adopt
the remaining components of the Business
Risk Assessment (risks identified) early in
2005-2006.
In line with recommendations included in
the Business Risk Assessment, the format
of the Forensicare Risk Register has been
amended to include greater detail in the
analysis and management of risk, and to
more comprehensively encompass clinical,
non clinical and corporate risk.
In respect to the delivery of our clinical
services, the assessment of potential risk
and management of risk for violence is a
priority area. On admission, information is
obtained concerning patients’ history of
violence, self harm, and related matters.
All direct care staff receive comprehensive
aggression management training at the
point of employment and thereafter
participate in refresher training three times
per year. This training is focused upon early
intervention, de-escalation, communication
skills and physical intervention techniques.
Staff training is also provided on the
‘Dynamic Appraisal of Inpatient Aggression’,
a measure developed by Forensicare to
assess patients’ ongoing risks of inpatient
aggression. This measure will be used in all
Forensicare acute inpatient settings. The
assessment of risk for violence is assessed
using a structured professional judgment
approach based on the HCR-20 Violence
Risk Assessment Scheme. These measures
are part of the Consolidating and
Strengthening Clinical Programs initiative.
Information from these measures is
employed in the development of risk
management strategies.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
VIFMH Council
Chair – The Hon Jim Kennan, SC
Committees
Audit
Finance
Quality Improvement
Remuneration
Research
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Michael Burt
Legal Support
Tom Dalton/Carol Toop
Director of Nursing Practice
Dr Trish Martin
Security Management
Grant Johnson
Human Resources
Gail Hummerston
Clinical Director
Professor Paul Mullen
Director of
Psychological Services
Professor James Ogloff
Inpatient Services
General Manager
Karlyn Chettleburgh
Thomas Embling Hospital
• Acute
• Sub-acute
• Rehabilitation
Clinical Administration
Contracted Services
Allied Health – Discipline Seniors
• OT, Psychology, Social Work
Quality Improvement
Consumer and Carer Participation
Security Management
Prison Mental Health Service
Melbourne Assessment Prison
Other regional Prisons
Business Services
John Daly
Financial Management
Procurement and Logistics
Information Technology
Payroll
Health Information
Glenda Cunningham
Community Forensic
Mental Health Services
General Manager
Jo Chaplin
Court Liaison Service
Problem Behaviour Clinic
Psychosexual Treatment Program
Forensic Mental Health Program
Forensic Mental Health Training
Service Development
Jardine Transition Program
Planning, Advice and Executive Support
Sue Briggs, Mitali Gupta, Lisa McGowan
49

MANAGEMENT TEAM
Michael Burt, BA, BSW (Dist.)
Chief Executive Officer
• Appointed April 1998
• Responsible for the overall operation
and development of Forensicare.
• A social worker, with almost 30 years
experience in the criminal justice
system.
• Worked clinically with prisoners and
parolees, both in Australia and the
United Kingdom, before moving to
management positions within
corrections and forensic health area.
• Instrumental in establishing Forensicare
as a statutory authority.
Karlyn Chettleburgh, Registered Psychiatric
Nurse, Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced
Clinical Nursing (Mental Health)
General Manager, Inpatient Operations
• Appointed December 2001
• Responsible for the operation of the
Thomas Embling Hospital and the
prison mental health program.
• Extensive experience in the public
mental health system in Victoria,
working in both direct care and
management positions in a range of
mental health settings, including
mainstream inpatient services,
community mental health (including
Crisis Assessment Teams), rural
psychiatry and most recently, forensic
mental health.
Jo Chaplin, BBSc (Hons), MPsych, Grad.
Cert. Public Policy & Management, MAPS.
General Manager, Community Operations
• Appointed February 2004
• Responsible for the Community
Forensic Mental Health Service,
which incorporates a comprehensive
outpatient clinic, court advice service
and transitional accommodation
program.
• A Clinical Psychologist, with clinical
and management experience in
government and non government
organisations that specialise in forensic
mental health and welfare, which has
included the implementation of services
aimed at diverting drug users from the
criminal justice system and transitional
programs for offenders with mental
health and substance use issues.
FORENSICARE EXECUTIVE
The Executive, a senior management
advisory group within Forensicare, is
chaired by the Chief Executive Officer. In
addition to the Chief Executive Officer, the
Forensicare Executive comprises the
General Manager of Inpatient Operations,
General Manager of Community Operations,
Manager of Human Resources, Manager of
Business Support, Corporate Lawyer,
Clinical Director, Director of Psychological
Services and Assistant Clinical Directors
(Inpatient and Community). The Executive
met 11 times during the year. Where
relevant, the Chief Executive Officer
provides reports of these meetings to the
Council.
“
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ………
Aware that Forensicare staff often had difficulty locating contact information for
area mental health services, particularly in times of crisis, the Health Information
Manager developed an information booklet for ward clerks and clinicians. The
booklet contains details of each area mental health service, including fax and
phone numbers, maps showing the area covered by each service and an
alphabetical listing of services in the region. The booklet fills a much needed
information gap and has been so well received by all staff it is now used across
the organisation.
50

LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE
BUILDING AND
MAINTENANCE
Forensicare complies with the Building Act
1993 under the guidelines for publicly
owned buildings issued by the Minister
for Finance 1994 in all redevelopment
and maintenance issues.
MAINTENANCE
There are no maintenance orders.
CONFORMITY
All renovations to existing buildings conform
to the Building Act 1993. All existing
buildings comply with regulations in force
at the time of construction. There are no
orders to cease occupancy or to undertake
urgent works. All sites are subject to a Fire
Safety Audit and Risk Assessment according
to revised standards as directed by the
Department of Human Services.
NATIONAL COMPETITION
POLICY
Forensicare complies with Model 2
competitive neutral pricing principles
outlined in the documents ‘Competitive
Neutrality – A Statement of Victorian
Government Policy’, ‘Victorian Government
Timetable for the Review of Legislative
Restrictions on Competition’ and ‘A Guide
to Implementing Pricing Principles’.
DISCLOSURE INDEX
The index identifying Forensicare’s
compliance with statutory disclosure
requirements is provided on page 79.
CONSULTANTS
• Consultants in excess of $100,000 -
nil
• Consultants costing less than
of $100,000 –
Number of consultants engaged 7
Total cost engagements $66,000
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Forensicare complies with the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (‘the Act’). All
Freedom of Information requests received
are processed within the required timeline.
No fees were charged for accessing
information during the reporting period.
During the year the following requests
were processed –
• A total of 25 Freedom of Information
requests were received.
• 10 requests for information had
documents exempted under s.31,
s. 33(1), s.33(2A), s.33(4), s.33(9)
and s.35(1) of the Act.
• 2 requests were unable to be
forwarded within the required
timeframe, as we had no forwarding
address for the person requesting the
material.
People wishing to access information
should make a written request to the
Freedom of Information Officer, Victorian
Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Locked
Bag 10, Fairfield, 3078.
WHISTLEBLOWER’S ACT
The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001
came into effect on 1 January 2002. The
Act is designed to protect people who
disclose information about serious
wrongdoing within the Victorian Public
Sector and to provide a framework for the
investigation of these matters. All
government bodies are required to have
policies and procedures in place that
address these issues. Forensicare has
adopted the model procedures circulated by
the Ombudsman for handling disclosures,
with some minor amendments.
Forensicare is committed to the aims and
objectives of the Whistleblowers Protection
Act 2001. It does not tolerate improper
conduct by its employees or officers, nor
the taking of reprisals against those who
come forward to disclose such conduct.
Disclosures of improper conduct can be
made by Forensicare staff or members of
the public. We have had no disclosures in
the reporting year.
The Protected Disclosure Manager for
Forensicare is Tom Dalton, Corporate
Lawyer.
Disclosures of improper conduct by
Forensicare or its employees may be made
to –
The Protected Disclosure Manager
Forensicare
Locked Bag 10
Fairfield 3078
Tel: 03. 9495 9149
Email:
tom.dalton@forensicare.vic.gov.au
OR
The Ombudsman Victoria
Level 22
459 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Tel 03. 9613 6222
VICTORIAN INDUSTRY
PARTICIPATION POLICY ACT
Contracts commenced in 2004-2005 to
which the Victorian Industry Participation
Policy Act 2003 (VIPP) applied -
• Forensicare commenced one (1)
contract totalling $4.5m in value
to which VIPP applied.
• The contract was a metropolitan based
contract.
• The commitments by the contractor
under VIPP included -
• an overall level of local content of
over 99% of the total value of the
contract
• a total of 22 full-time equivalent
jobs.
AVAILABILITY OF OTHER
INFORMATION
Under section 9.1.3(iv) of Financial
Management Act 1994, the following
details are retained by the Chief Executive
Officer and available on request –
• declarations of pecuniary interests
by relevant officers
• shares held by senior officers in a
statutory authority or subsidiary
• Forensicare publications
• major external reviews conducted
on Forensicare
• research and development activities
undertaken
• overseas visits taken
• promotional, public relations and
marketing activities conducted
• occupational health and safety policies
and measures undertaken
• industrial relations.
• In 15 cases the information requested
was released in full.
Email:
ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
51

52
Our People
STAFF TURNOVER
The current labour market is experiencing
a substantial shortage of mental health
professionals. This has resulted in
increased pressure on health sector
organisations to retain staff. Within this
highly competitive environment, strategies
were adopted to ensure retention and
turnover issues do not begin to impact
heavily on Forensicare. The shortage of
trained mental health professionals was
first evident in nursing, and other service
providers in Victoria have reported
recruitment difficulties over the past three
years. At the beginning of 2005 however,
Forensicare had a full complement of
nursing staff, and this situation has
remained relatively stable over the past year.
The initiatives implemented by Forensicare
during the year to address the emerging
recruitment and retention issues arising in
all disciplines in forensic mental health
include –
• establishing academic links in Social
Work and Occupational Therapy
• establishing a graduate program in
Social Work and Occupational Therapy
• implementing a new organisational
structure in Psychology
• amending the case coordination model
utilised within the organisation to
promote interdisciplinary team
functioning
• implementing a process for conducting
exit interviews to ensure feedback is
considered and appropriate action
taken.
The early indication is that these specific
strategies are having a positive influence
on staff retention.
WORKFORCE PROFILE
At 30 June 2005 Forensicare had a total
workforce of 249.5 EFT positions (up from
243.5 at 30 June 2004). The changes to
the workforce profile during the year
principally occurred in the allied health
staffing area. Following the review
undertaken during the year of psychology,
the number of psychologists employed
within Forensicare increased from 8.0 EFT
at 30 June 2004 to 11.74 EFT at 30 June
2005. This increase in our clinical staff has
enabled us to meet the increased service
demands.
FORENSICARE WORKFORCE PROFILE
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
AND SAFETY
The provision of a safe environment is an
essential and particularly sensitive issue in
forensic mental health. The Occupational
Health and Safety Committee is responsible
for maintaining an active oversight of health
and safety issues and monitoring the
organisation’s performance against established
indicators (number of incidents, both
reportable and non-reportable to WorkSafe,
time lost due to injury).
During 2004-2005, the Occupational Health
and Safety Committee reviewed and amended
(as necessary) all Occupational Health and
Safety procedures to ensure that they reflected
the requirements under the new Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2004.
There were no reportable incidents requiring
notification to WorkSafe during the year.
30-Jun 2005 30-Jun-2004 30-Jun-2003
Class Staff No. Total EFT Staff No. Total EFT Staff No. Total EFT
CLINICAL STAFF 238 223.0 239 219.2 222 210.0
Nursing 166 159.1 171 161.5 154 149.5
Clinical Support 14 12.1 17 12.8 17 14.1
Allied Health
Psychologist 14 11.74 8 8.0 11 10.6
Social Worker 9 8.64 10 8.6 8 7.8
Occupational Therapist 6 6.0 5 5.0 6 6.0
Consumer Consultant 2 0.89 2 0.9 2 0.8
Family Advocate 1 0.53
Welfare Worker 1 1.0 1 1.0 1 1.0
Allied Health Total 33 28.8 26 23.5 28 26.3
Medical
Consultants/Medical 18 16.0 18 14.4 16 13.1
Registrars 7 7.0 7 7.0 7 7.0
Medical Total 25 23.0 25 21.4 23 20.1
CORPORATE/ADMIN 30 26.5 28 24.3 29 24.0
Administration 16 14.8 15 13.8 16 13.3
Corporate Support 14 11.7 13 10.5 13 10.6
TOTAL STAFF 268 249.5 267 243.5 251 233.9
WORKFORCE GENDER PROFILE –
30 June 2005
Total females 57%
Total males 43%
WORKCOVER
Forensicare continued its strategy to
encourage the return to work of injured
staff. In 2004-2005 all staff who had a
work related injury or illness returned to
work, either resuming full or light duties
in accordance with a Return to Work Plan.
Although there was an increase in the
number of injuries reported from 57 in
2003-2004 to 67 in 2004-2005 (see
below), the number of injuries resulting
in time lost reduced from 15 to 14. Of the
total number of injuries occurring, 67%
occurred in acute units, compared to 59%
in 2003-2004. This increase is largely
attributable to a patient with a history of
assaults against staff, who was referred
from a mainstream mental health service
and required seclusion and close
monitoring within one of the acute units
in Thomas Embling Hospital.
NUMBER OF INJURIES
(NON-REPORTABLE TO WORKSAFE)
AND NUMBER RESULTING IN
TIME LOST
80
60
40
20
0
50
7
2002-2003
57
15
67
14
2003-2004 2004-2005
Number of Injuries
Number of Injuries resulting in time lost

Michael Daffern, Principal Psychologist,
Forensicare, was awarded a PhD for his
research on patient aggression
PROTECTING OUR STAFF -
INFECTION CONTROL
Care has been taken within Forensicare to
minimise the risk of infection. Initiatives
implemented include the development of
organisation wide infection control
manuals, and the establishment of a
contractual arrangement with the Austin
Hospital to provide education and support
to Forensicare. The Infection Control
Manager, Austin Hospital, and a
microbiologist from the hospital, are both
members of the Forensicare Infection
Control Committee.
All staff within Forensicare are encouraged
to access a program of immunisation
available through the Austin Medical
Centre, Immunisation Clinic. The
‘Community Immunity’ initiative within
Forensicare provides free screening and
immunisation to all staff. There was a
significant increase in staff taking
advantage of free flu vaccinations this year
– 51 staff were immunised in 2004-2005,
compared to 36 staff in 2003-2004. Other
immunisations available include Tetanus,
Diphtheria, Varicella, Measles, Mumps,
Rubella, Hepatitis B and Polio.
MERIT AND EQUITY
The principles of Equal Employment
Opportunity (EEO) and supported and
maintained by Forensicare. We have a
policy of employing those applicants with
the most merit for the position and follow
the guidelines of the Office of Public
Employment. The recruitment process
ensures that fair and reasonable treatment
has been accorded to all applicants.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Forensicare has 7 trained Contact Officers.
These Contact Officers provide information
and support to staff across the organisation in
relation to discrimination, harassment or
bullying claims. Additional staff will undertake
this training in 2005-2006.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
The key industrial relations issues for
2004-2005 were the finalisation of the
new Enterprise Agreement and the review
of the Forensicare Payment (a payment
in lieu of salary packaging to address
recruitment and retention difficulties).
Following the lifting of bans that were put
in place during the dispute over a new
agreement, Forensicare employees voted
and agreed to the Victorian Institute of
Forensic Mental Health Enterprise
Agreement 2004-2007 in December
2004. The Agreement was certified in the
Australian Industrial Relations Commission
on 1 February 2005.
A review of the Forensicare Payment has
commenced. Concurrent with this review
is an application to the Australian Taxation
Office for endorsement of Forensicare as a
deductible gift recipient, which would enable
the organisation to offer salary packaging to
staff. It is anticipated this review will be
finalised in the latter half of 2005.
CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM*
There was a reduction in the number of
incidents resulting in Critical Incident Stress
Management (CISM) interventions during
the year. Five new CISM team members
undertook training in June 2005, taking
the total number of CISM team members to
21. Four refresher training courses were
held during 2004-2005, and promotion of
the service is now a routine component of
our staff orientation program. Anthea
Lemphers assumed the role of Co-ordinator
of CISM, when David Willshire moved to a
part-time role within the organisation. We
acknowledge the innovative work of David,
our Principal Psychologist, in establishing
this vital service in 2000.
* The Critical Incident Stress Management
Program provides debriefing, defusing,
stress stocktakes and individual support
following incidents, including threats and
assaults on staff.
LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
Staff education and development is an integral
component of Forensicare’s operations. Details
of learning and development activities are
detailed under ‘Professional Education’ (pages
25-28 ), Inpatient Services (page 16) and
Community Forensic Mental Health Service
(page 20).
CODE OF CONDUCT
Forensicare acts in accordance with the
Code of Conduct for the Victorian Public
Sector, August 2003.
VALUES
Forensicare is guided by the Values
established by the State Services Authority
for the public sector (see inside back cover).
OUR COMMITMENT
TO EXCELLENCE - WE
CONGRATULATE OUR STAFF
• Melinda Anderson, Phyllis Bolding,
Kathryn Byrne, Andrew Cassady,
Margaret Connor, Matthew Cull, Debbie
Harvey, Michael Heaney, Jessica Hehir,
Brenda Hughes, Jennifer Ireland, Danielle
Kilgour, Dorota Markiewicz, Dung
Nguyen, Anne O’Sullivan, Brooke Turner,
Fia Timoti – completed a postgraduate
qualification in psychiatric nursing
• Michael Daffern, Principal Psychologist,
Forensicare, completed a PhD Social
Science (Psychology) from the
University of South Australia –
‘A functional analysis of psychiatric
inpatient aggression’, supervised by
Professor Kevin Howells and Professor
James Ogloff
• Glenda Cunningham, our Health
Information Manager, completed
a Graduate Certificate in Health
Informatics, Monash University
• Linda Williams, a Social Worker at
Thomas Embling Hospital, completed a
Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief and
Trauma Counselling through Flinders
University
• Lei Ning, one of our Consumer
Consultants, completed a Graduate
Diploma in Art Therapy at La Trobe
University.
UTILISATION OF CRITICAL INCIDENT 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003
STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Number of incidents resulting in interventions 18 30 9*
Number of staff support interventions 160 196 53*
* In 2002-2003 the Critical Incident Stress Management program was supported by additional sessions provided
by an external consultant which are not included in the recorded CISM data.
53

Financial Performance
Beginning the year with a budgeted deficit, Forensicare delivered a $2.113m
turnaround, ending 2004-2005 with a surplus of $0.327m.
Work commenced during the year on identifying the significant assets coming to the
end of their economic and operational life, and the impact of not replacing the assets.
This will be reported on in 2005-2006.
54
The financial savings resulting from the reduction in nursing turnover and the relatively
stable nursing workforce (for most of the year) was the single largest reduction in costs
to Forensicare in 2004-2005.

Financial Overview
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
This year again presented Forensicare with considerable financial
challenges with the Council of Forensicare approving a deficit budget
of $3.073 million. It was therefore a significant achievement to
deliver the markedly better result of $0.9 million deficit outlined
below, and detailed in the 2004-2005 Financial Statements. The
result included depreciation of $1.232 million, which is provided
for separately by Government via capital payments in response to
submissions by Forensicare. No Capital Funds were provided to
Forensicare by the Department of Human Services for the 2004-
2005 financial year.
Forensicare reviewed the Financial Management Framework, in
conjunction with our internal auditors, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu,
under the Business Risk Assessment Review. This process is
designed to support sound financial management and accountability
practices, and has been formally adopted by Council.
The framework restates the various elements of our financial
management policies, practices and procedures. It clarifies the way
in which our organisation manages its financial activities, and
documents the clearer lines of accountability and reporting
Our financial framework is based on the following principles –
• support for the increased autonomy and accountability of
operational areas of the organisation
RATIOS
Current Ratio – Liquidity
This graph indicates Forensicare’s ability to meet its financial
commitments in the short-term (next twelve months). A ratio of 1 or
greater indicates a strong financial capability to meet commitments.
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01 99/00
Equity/Assets – Stability
This graph indicates Forensicare’s long-term stability. The stability
over the past twelve month period clearly shows Forensicare is
maintaining a position of viability.
• integration of systems to enhance information available to meet
the diverse and growing needs of management
• transparency through standardisation of business reporting
templates
• quality financial management information that is sourced
and reproduced consistently from a common platform
• flexible capacity to adapt to meet changing information needs
in our environment.
The framework encourages strong governance, continuous
improvement, and compliance with standards to support
Forensicare’s strategic directions.
During the current and previous reporting periods, Forensicare
has undertaken a number of internal financial reviews/assessments
to assist the Council and executive in managing the financial
performance of the organisation. The reviews have consisted of the
following –
• Expenditure comparisons by major component
• Expenditure patterns
• Deficit Management Strategies
• Long-Term Financial Budget Management Plan.
The financial statements presented later in this report (pages 60-75)
provide greater detail, and are prepared in accordance with the
applicable Australian Accounting Standards and the Financial
Management Act 1994.
0.94
0.93
0.92
0.91
0.90
0.89
0.88
0.87
0.86
0.85
0.84
04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01 99/00
Budget Composition
Department of Self Funding Corrections Care Plan TOTAL BUDGET
Human Services Victoria Assessments
Funding Funding Funding
Budgeted Revenue $27,218,407 $216,873 $2,778,101 $155,070 $30,368,451
Budgeted Expenditure $29,003,927 $216,873 $2,764,062 $170,110 $32,154,972
Surplus / Deficit ($1,785,520) - $14,039 ($15,040 ) ($1,786,521)
55

56
$6,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,000,000
$
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING
STANDARDS
The Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) will be introduced from 1 July 2005 (see page
38). Forensicare has completed the requirements issued by the
Department of Treasury and Finance for the introduction of the
standards and the necessary changes to our systems and
procedures to ensure that we can meet reporting requirements
under the revised standards, with minimal impact on our day-today
business.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
The financial situation of the Institute highlights the need for
strong, long-term planning and the targeted allocation of resources.
A disciplined approach to financial decision making which relies on
clear evidence, data analysis, accurate costing and risk
management, is critical to the financial stability of the Institute.
This is achieved through the preparation of the Corporate Plan, the
ongoing development of a Long Term Financial Strategy and Five
Year Capital Works Program and the development of a Long-Term
Budget Financial Model.
OVERALL FINANCIAL POSITION
Forensicare continues to be in a sound financial position. The
Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) indicates that
Forensicare has a satisfactory level of Cash Assets. Positive Ratios
indicate Forensicare’s ability to meet its financial commitments in
the short-term, and long term stability (see graphs, page 55). The
Working Capital Ratio assesses the ability of Forensicare to meet
current commitments and is calculated by measuring Forensicare’s
Current Assets against Current Liabilities. Forensicare ratio of 1.3:1
is an indicator of a firm financial position. This means that
Forensicare has $1.33 of Cash and Current Assets for every $1.00
of Current Liabilities.
CASH FLOW
Forensicare had a net overall cash inflow for the year of $0.552m.
The most significant variation related to the Operating Activities
with an inflow of $.909m. The increase in Government Grants,
Other Revenue and the vigilance in expenditure on operating costs
(payments and supplies) had a considerable impact of the cash
position of Forensicare. Investing Activities of Forensicare (Capital
Works and Asset Acquisition / Replacement Program) had an
outflow of $0.357m, related mainly to the implementation of
Forensicare purchasing its Vehicle Fleet and the upgrading of
Information Technology Equipment. This was implemented without
any financial assistance from Government.
04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01
Cash Held $3,888,266 $3,336,740 $5,147,655 $3,203,800 $3,381,581
04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01
*Cash Held represents cash held at the end of the reporting period
LONG TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY
The continuous 5-year Long Term Financial Strategy developed by
Forensicare in 2004 was followed in 2004-2005, and amended
as required to ensure sound financial planning and decision
making across the organisation.
LOOKING AHEAD
At present, Forensicare is unable to fund the replacement of
significant assets as they come to the end of their economic life.
This situation will need to be addressed over the coming years, as
a number of large assets are ending their economic and operational
life. Forensicare is currently developing a submission to the
Department of Human Services identifying the major assets at the
end of their economic and operational life, outlining the impact of
not replacing the assets.
As mentioned in the Financial Management section (see previous
page), Forensicare has implemented a number of financial
management strategies to secure the long term financial position
of the organisation. The Council and management are united and
committed to achieving long term financial stability, and will
continue to monitor and review the long term strategies of
Forensicare. Other mechanisms to assist in the financial stability of
Forensicare, including service reviews, asset management and the
six-monthly revision of the Long Term Financial Strategies, will also
assist Forensicare in seeking a balanced position.
VICTORIAN PUBLIC SECTOR – COMPLIANCE
FRAMEWORK
• TAX COMPLIANCE AUDIT
The Tax Compliance Framework is a framework adopted by the
Department of Treasury and Finance to address tax compliance
risks that arise for the Victorian Public Sector (VPS) as a result of
the application of various Federal tax laws to the VPS. Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu has performed an annual review of taxation
compliance and found that the Victorian Institute of Forensic
Mental Health has complied with its obligations under the
Department of Treasury and Finance’s Tax Compliance Framework.
• GENERAL GOVERNMENT PURCHASING CARD
Under the Directions of the Minister for Finance and the Rules, the
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health is required for the
2004-2005 assurance process to complete their assurance of the
General Government Purchasing Card or other purchasing/credit
card facility and submit a Letter of Assurance to the Minister for
Finance. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu were engaged by Forensicare to
assist in the compliance review. They found that they were no
breaches and that Forensicare had complied with the Guidelines
• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK
The Financial Management Compliance Framework has been
developed by the Department of Treasury and Finance to assist the
Victorian Public Sector meet its obligations and effectively monitor
and review its overall performance in financial management. The
Framework, which is consistent with the Tax Compliance
Framework, has been designed to promote responsible financial
management. Forensicare is required to report on its compliance
with the Framework through an assurance mechanism of annual
certification. In the coming year, certification is due by 31 October
2005. Accounting firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, will assist
Forensicare prepare the annual certification, and the ongoing
development of responsible financial management (in accordance
with the organisational goals) whilst meeting the requirements of
the Financial Management Act 1994.

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2004
Index to the Financial Reports
Note Contents Page
Statement of Certification 58
Auditors-General Report 59
Statement of Financial Performance 60
Statement of Financial Position 61
Statement of Cash Flows 62
1 Statement of Accounting Policies 63
2 Statement of Understanding and Service Agreement 65
3 Revenue From Ordinary Activities 66
4 Expenses From Ordinary Activities 66
5 Sale of Non Current Assets 66
6 Depreciation 67
7 Cash Assets 67
8 Receivables 67
9 Property, Plant & Equipment 67-68
10 Payables 68
11 Provisions 68
12 Equity & Reserves 68-69
13 Reconciliation of Net Result for the Year to Net Cash Flows
from/(used in) Operating Activities 69
14 Financial Instruments 69-70
15 Financial Instruments 70
16 Commitments 70
17 Superannuation 71
18 Responsible Persons Related Disclosures 71-72
19 Remuneration of Auditors 72
20 Contingent Liabilities 72
21 Impacts of adopting AASB equivalents to IASB standards 73-75
57

58
2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Statement of Financial Performance
For the Year Ended 30 June 2005
Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Revenue From Ordinary Activities 3
Government Grants (Department of Human Services) 28,580 26,649
Other Government Revenue (Corrections Victoria Service Agreement) 2,435 2,338
Other Revenue From Ordinary Activities 1,578 1,084
32,593 30,071
Expenses From Ordinary Activities 4
Employee Benefits 19,716 18,300
Contracted Staff Costs 4,529 4,819
Medicines, Drugs & Diagnostics 1,026 1,051
Property Maintenance & Contracts 4,488 4,259
Depreciation 6 1,232 1,243
Other Expenses 2,507 2,252
33,498 31,924
Net Result for the Year (905) (1,853)
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Asset Revaluation Reserve 12(a) 6,220 -
Total Revenues, Expenses and Valuation adjustments recognised in Equity 12(d) 5,315 -
Total changes in Equity other than those resulting
from changes in Contributed Capital 5,315 (1,853)
This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
60

Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Statement of Financial Position
As At 30 June 2005
Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash Assets 7, 14, 15 3,889 3,337
Receivables 8, 14, 15 1,695 1,423
Prepayments 8, 14, 15 7 37
Total Current Assets 5,591 4,797
Non Current Assets
Receivables 2, 8, 14, 15 530 530
Property, Plant & Equipment 9 41,287 35,906
Total Non Current Assets 41,817 36,436
TOTAL ASSETS 47,408 41,232
LIABILTITES
Current Liabilities
Payables 10, 14, 15 2,650 2,227
Provisions 11 1,554 1,434
Total Current Liabilities 4,204 3,661
Non Current Liabilities
Provisions 1,745 1,428
Total Non Current Liabilities 1,745 1,428
TOTAL LIABILTITIES 5,949 5,089
NET ASSETS 41,459 36,144
EQUITY
Contributed Capital 12(b) 33,781 33,781
Asset Revaluation Reserve 12(a) 9,176 2,956
Accumulated Surpluses/(Deficit) 12(c) (1,498) (593)
TOTAL EQUITY 12(d) 41,459 36,144
This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
61

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended 30 June 2005
Cash Flow From Operating Activities
Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Receipts
Governments Grants 31,412 28,931
Corrections Victoria (MAP Service Agreement) 3,057 3,005
Professional Service Fees 131 246
Interest 233 187
Other 853 681
Payments
Employee Benefits (22,718) (22,342)
Payments and Supplies (inclusive of GST) (12,059) (11,846)
Net Cash Flows From/(Used In) Operating Activities 13 909 (1,138)
Cash Flow From Investing Activities
Purchase of Properties, Plant & Equipment 9(b) (571) (781)
Proceeds from sale of Properties, Plant & Equipment 5 214 107
Net Cash Flows From/(Used In) Investing Activities (357) (673)
Net Increase / (Decrease) In Cash 552 (1,811)
Cash at 1 July 2004 7 3,337 5,148
Cash at 30 June 2005 7 3,889 3,337
This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
62

Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
Notes To and Forming Part of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2005
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (‘The Institute’) came into being on 1 January 1998. The Institute
commenced operations with effect from 1 July 1998 and has registered and operates under the trading name
Forensicare. The enabling legislation is the Mental Health Act 1986 (‘the Act’) which establishes the Institute as an
approved mental health service. The Institute is a body corporate managed by a Council of ten members appointed
in accordance with s117F of the principal Act.
Note 1
Statement of Accounting Policies
This general-purpose financial report has been prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with the Financial
Management Act 1994, Australian Accounting Standards, Statements of Accounting Concepts and other authoritative
pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, and Urgent Issues Group Consensus Views.
It is prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities which,
as noted, are at valuation. The accounting policies adopted, and the classification and presentation of items, are
consistent with those of the previous year, except where a change is required to comply with an Australian
Accounting Standard or Urgent Issues Group Consensus View, or an alternative accounting policy permitted by an
Australian Accounting Standard is adopted to improve the relevance and reliability of the financial report. Where
practicable, comparative amounts are presented and classified on a basis consistent with the current year.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
Rounding Off
All amounts shown in the Financial Statements are expressed to the nearest $1,000. (If total assets, or revenue,
or expenses are less than $10 million, amounts are rounded off to the nearest dollar.)
Change in Accounting Policies
There have been no changes to the accounting policies of the Institute during 2004-2005 year.
Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
For reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005, all Australian reporting entities are required to adopt the
financial reporting requirements of the Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (A-IFRS).
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health has established a project team to manage the transition to A-IFRS,
including training of staff in terms of systems and internal control changes necessary to gather all the required
financial information.
The project team has analysed all of the A-IFRS and A-IFRS Financial Reporting Directions to identify the accounting
policy changes that will be required.
The known or reliably estimable impacts on the financial report for the year ended 30 June 2005 had it been
prepared using AIFRS are set out in Note 21.
Receivables
Trade debtors are carried at nominal amounts due and are due for settlement within 30 days from the date of
recognition. Collectability of debts is reviewed on an ongoing basis, and debts which are known to be uncollectible
are written off. A provision for doubtful debts is raised where doubt as to collection exists.
Other Financial Assets
Other financial assets are valued at cost and are classified between current and non current assets based on the
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health Council’s intention at balance date with respect to the timing of disposal
of each asset. Interest revenue (if applicable) from other financial assets is brought to account when it is earned.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include Patents, Trademarks, Goodwill and Research and Development Costs (where applicable),
and the corresponding amortisation method, if any.
Revaluations of Non-Current Assets
Subsequent to the initial recognition as assets, non-current physical assets, other than plant and equipment, are
measured at fair value. Plant and equipment are measured at cost. Revaluations are made with sufficient regularity to
ensure that the carrying amount of each asset does not differ materially from its fair value at the reporting date.
Revaluations are assessed annually and supplemented by independent assessments, at least every three years.
Revaluations are conducted in accordance with the Victorian Government Policy paper, ‘Revaluation of Non-Current
Physical Assets’.
Revaluation increments are credited directly to the asset revaluation reserve, except that, to the extent that an
increment reverses a revaluation decrement in respect of that class of asset previously recognised as an expense in
the net result, such an increment is recognised immediately as revenue in the net result.
Revaluation decrements are recognised immediately as expenses in the net result, except that, to the extent that a
credit balance exists in the asset revaluation reserve in respect of the same class of assets, such revaluation
decrements are debited directly to the asset revaluation reserve.
63

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
Revaluation increments and decrements are offset against one another within a class of non-current assets.
(h)
(i)
Asset Revaluation Reserve
The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets.
An independent valuation of the Institute’s land and buildings was made by G.M. Brien & Associates Pty Ltd under
the auspice of the Victorian Valuer General’s Office. The valuation was adopted as at 30 June 2002 in the 2001-
2002 financial year and again as at 30 June 2005 in the 2004-2005 financial year.
Other than assets subject to a specific valuation, non-current physical assets are measured at either cost or fair value.
Depreciation
Assets with a cost in excess of $1,000 are capitalised and depreciation has been provided on depreciable assets so
as to allocate their cost—or valuation—over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Estimates of
the remaining useful lives for all assets are reviewed at least annually. This depreciation charge is not funded by the
Department of Human Services.
The following table indicates the expected useful lives of non-current assets on which the depreciation charges are
based.
2005 2004
Buildings Up to 50 years Up to 50 years
Communication Equipment Up to 6 years Up to 6 years
Computer Equipment, Furniture Up to 5 years Up to 5 years
Equipment and other assets From up to 10 – 17 years From up to 10 – 17 years
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
Payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided prior to the end of the financial year and which
are unpaid. The normal credit terms are usually Nett 30 days.
Interest Bearing Liabilities
Interest bearing liabilities in the Statement of Financial Position are carried at face value less unamortised
discount/premium. Any discount/premium is treated as interest and amortised over the term of the debt. Interest is
accrued over the period it becomes due and is recorded as part of other creditors.
Goods and Services Tax
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of GST, except for receivables and payables which are stated with
the amount of GST included and except, where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable, in which case GST is
recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or part of an item of expense or revenue. GST receivable from
and payable to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is included in the Statement of Financial Position. The GST
component of a receipt or payment is recognised on a gross basis in the Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with
AAS 28.
Employee Benefits
Employee benefit liabilities are based on pay rates expected to apply when the obligation is settled. On-costs such as
WorkCover and superannuation are included in the calculation of leave provisions.
Long Service Leave
The provision for long service leave is determined in accordance with AASB 1028. The liability for long service leave
expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date is recognised in the provision for employee benefits as
a current liability. The liability for long service leave expected to be settled more than 12 months from the reporting
date is recognised in the provision for employee benefits as a non-current liability and measured as the present value
of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date.
Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of
service. Expected future payments are discounted using interest rates on national Government guaranteed securities
with terms to maturity that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.
Wages and Salaries, Annual Leave and Accrued Days Off
Liabilities for wages and salaries, annual leave and accrued days off expected to be settled within 12 months of the
reporting date are recognised as a current liability, and are measured as the amount unpaid at the reporting date in
respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date and are measured as the amounts expected to be paid when
the liabilities are settled.
Sick Leave
Liabilities for sick leave are recognised when the leave is taken and measured at rates paid or payable.
Superannuation
The amount charged to the Statement of Financial Performance in respect of superannuation represents the
contributions made by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health to the superannuation fund.
64

Termination Benefits
Liabilities for termination benefits are recognised when a detailed plan for the termination has been developed and a
valid expectation has been raised with those employees affected that the terminations will be carried out. The
liabilities for termination benefits are recognised in other creditors unless the amount or timing of the payments is
uncertain, in which case they are recognised as a provision.
Employee Benefits On-Costs
Employee benefits on-costs are recognised and included in employee benefits liabilities and costs when the employee
benefits to which they relate are recognised as liabilities.
(n)
(o)
Leased Property and Equipment
A distinction is made between finance leases which effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all
the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of leased non-current assets, and operating leases under which the
lessor effectively retains all such risks and benefits. Where a non-current asset is acquired by means of a finance
lease, the minimum lease payments are discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease. The discounted amount
is established as a non-current asset at the beginning of the lease term and is amortised on a straight-line basis over
its expected useful life. A corresponding liability is established and each lease payment is allocated between the
principal component and the interest expense. Operating lease payments are representative of the pattern of benefits
derived from the leased assets and accordingly are expensed in the periods in which they are incurred.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognised in accordance with AAS 15. Income is recognised as revenue to the extent it is earned.
Unearned income at reporting date is reported as income received in advance.
Amounts disclosed as revenue are, where applicable, net of returns, allowances, duties and taxes.
Government Grants
Grants are recognised as revenue when the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health gains control of the
underlying assets. Where grants are reciprocal, revenue is recognised as performance occurs under the grant.
Non-reciprocal grants are recognised as revenue when the grant is received or receivable. Conditional grants may be
reciprocal or non-reciprocal depending on the terms of the grant.
Indirect Contributions
• Insurance receipts are recognised as revenue following advice from the Department of Human Services.
• Long Service Leave (LSL) – Revenue is recognised upon finalisation of movements in LSL liability in line with the
arrangements set out in the Acute Health Division Hospital Circular 16/2004.
(p)
(q)
(r)
Fund Accounting
The Institute operates on a fund accounting basis and maintains three funds in accordance with its Statement of
Understanding with Department of Human Services – Operating, Specific Purpose and Capital Funds.
Comparative Information
Where necessary the previous year’s figures have been reclassified to facilitate comparisons.
Contributed Capital
Consistent with UIG Abstract 38 ‘Contributions by Owners Made to Wholly-Owned Public Sector Entities’ and
Financial Reporting Direction 2 ‘Contributed Capital’, transfers that are in the nature of contributions or distributions,
have been designated as contributed capital.
Note 2
Statement of Understanding and Service Agreement
A Statement of Understanding (1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999) between the Department of Human Services and the
Institute specifically provides for the following –
The Department of Human Services acknowledge their liability for the accrued long service leave entitlements for all
employees with service up to 1 July 1998 transferred from the Department to the Institute under the provisions of
section 97 of the Mental Health Act 1986.
65

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Note 3
Revenue From Ordinary Activities
Government Grants
Service Agreement – (Department of Human Services) 28,232 26,347
Other Government Revenue 348 301
Corrections Victoria – (Melbourne Assessment Prison
Service Agreement) 2,435 2,338
Other Revenues
Interest 233 187
Professional Fees 373 505
Court Reports 119 105
WorkCover Recoveries 243 226
Other Revenue 610 62
32,593 30,071
Note 4
Expenses From Ordinary Activities
Employee Benefits
1(m)
Salaries & Wages 15,911 14,643
Employee Entitlements 1,535 1,391
Superannuation 2, 17 1,409 1,304
WorkCover 288 857
Long Service Leave 573 104
Non Salary Labour Costs
Agency Staff 1,011 1,401
Medical Salaries 3,518 3,417
Medicines, Drugs & Diagnostics
Medicines, Drugs 873 775
Diagnostics 153 276
Property Maintenance & Contracts
Property Expenses 350 330
Maintenance Expenses 663 674
Contracts 1,931 1,768
Security 1,544 1,487
Other Expenses
Information Technology 308 415
Depreciation 6, 9(b) 1,232 1,243
Supplies & Consumables 1,521 1,308
Patient Stores & Provisions 354 290
Financial Expenses 24 23
Other 161 208
Internal Audit Fees 139 10
33,498 31,924
Note 5
Sale of Non Current Assets
Proceeds from Disposal of Non Current Assets
Plant and Equipment 214 107
Total Proceeds from Disposal of Non Current Assets 214 107
Less: Written Down Value of Non Current Assets Sold
Plant and Equipment (178) (124)
Total Written Down Value of Non Current Assets Sold (178) (124)
Net gain / (loss on disposal of Non Current Assets) 36 (17)
66

Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Note 6
Depreciation
Buildings 684 683
Communications Equipment 38 37
Computer Equipment 164 274
Office Equipment 20 20
Machines and Equipment 59 49
Medical Equipment 14 15
Office Furniture 32 32
Vehicles 214 126
Portable and Attractive 7 7
Total Depreciation 1,232 1,243
Note 7
Cash Assets
Cash on Hand 1 1
Cash at Bank 3,888 3,336
Total Cash Assets 3,889 3,337
Note 8
Receivables
Current
Trade Debtors 918 885
Department of Human Services – Long Service Leave 753 538
Prepaid Expenses 7 37
Accrued Revenue 24 -
Total Current Receivables 1,702 1,460
Non Current
Department of Human Services – Employee Entitlements
(s97, Mental Health Act 1986) 2 530 530
Total Non Current Receivables 530 530
Total Receivables 2,232 1,990
Note 9 (a) Property, Plant & Equipment
Land
Land at valuation at June 2003 1(g) - 2,680
Land at valuation at June 2005 1(h) 3,350 -
Total Land 3,350 2,680
Buildings
Buildings at valuation at 30 June 2002 - 31,386
Buildings at valuation at 1 July 2004 1(g) - 1,261
Additions at Cost - 64
Buildings at valuation at June 2005 1(h) 36,226 -
- Less Accumulated Depreciation Costs (2) (1,353)
Total Buildings 36,224 31,358
Plant and Equipment
Plant and Equipment at Cost 3,722 3,456
- Less Accumulated Depreciation Costs (2,009) (1,588)
Total Plant and Equipment 1,713 1,868
Total Property, Plant & Equipment 41,287 35,906
67

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
(b) Land Buildings Plant & Total
Equipment
2005 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
Carrying amount at start of year 2,680 31,358 1,868 35,906
Additions - - 571 571
Disposals - - (178) (178)
Depreciation - (684) (548) (1,232)
Revaluation increments 670 5,550 - 6,220
Carrying amount at end of year 3,350 36,224 1,713 41,287
2004
Carrying amount at start of year 2,680 31,977 1,835 36,492
Additions - 64 717 781
Disposals - - (124) (124)
Depreciation - (683) (560) (1,243)
Net Transfer - - - -
Carrying amount at end of year 2,680 31,358 1,868 35,906
Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Note 10
Payables
Current
Trade Creditors 1,832 1,401
Accrued expenses 818 826
Total Payables 2,650 2,227
Note 11
Provisions
Current
Long Service Leave 194 159
Annual Leave 1,360 1,275
Total Current 1,554 1,434
Non Current
Long Service Leave 1,745 1,428
Total Non current 1,745 1,428
Total Provisions 3,299 2,862
Note 12
(a)
Equity & Reserves
Reserves
Asset Revaluation Reserve
Balance at the beginning of the reporting period 2,956 2,956
Revaluation Increment/(Decrements)
- Land 670 -
- Buildings 5,550 -
Balance at the end of the reporting period 9,176 2,956
(b)
Contributed Capital
Balance at the beginning of the reporting period 33,781 33,781
Balance at the end of the reporting period 33,781 33,781
(c)
Accumulated Surpluses/(Deficits)
Balance at the beginning of the reporting period (593) 1,259
Net Result for the year transfers to and from reserve (905) (1,853)
Balance at the end of the reporting period (1,498) (593)
68

(d)
Equity
Total equity at the beginning of the reporting period 36,144 37,996
Total changes in equity recognised in the Statement
of Financial Performance 5,315 (1,853)
Total Equity at the reporting date 41,459 36,144
Note 13
Reconciliation of Net Result for the Year to Net Cash Flows
from/(used in) Operating Activities
Net Result for the Year (905) (1,853)
Depreciation & Amortisation 1,232 1,243
Net (Gain)/Loss from Sale of Plant and Equipment (36) 17
Change in Operating Assets & Liabilities,
Net of Effect from Restructuring
Increase/(Decrease) in Payables 423 (229)
Increase/(Decrease) in Employee Benefits 437 93
(Increase)/Decrease in Other Current Assets 30 (37)
(Increase)/Decrease in Receivables (272) (372)
Net Cash Flows From/(Used In) Operating Activities 909 (1,138)
Note 14
(a)
Financial Instruments
Interest Rate Risk Exposure
The Institute’s exposure to interest rate risk and effective weighted average interest rate by maturity periods is set
out in the following table. For interest rates applicable to each class of asset or liability refer to individual Notes to
the Financial Statements. Exposures arise predominantly from assets and liabilities bearing variable interest rates.
Interest rate exposure as at 30/06/2005
Floating 1 year 1 to 5 Over 5 Non Total Weighted
Interest Rate or less years years Interest 2005 Average
Bearing
Interest
Rates
$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 (%)
Financial Assets
Cash at Bank 3,889 - - - - 3,889 4.99%
Trade debtors - - - - 918 918 N/A
Other receivables - - - - 1,314 1,314 N/A
Total Financial Assets 3,889 - - - 2,232 6,121 4.99%
Financial Liabilities
Trade creditors and accruals - - - - 2,650 2,650 N/A
Total Financial Liabilities - - - - 2,650 2,650 N/A
Total Financial Asset / Liabilities 3,889 - - - (418) 3,471 N/A
Interest rate exposure as at 30/06/2004
Floating 1 year 1 to 5 Over 5 Non Total Weighted
Interest Rate or less years years Interest 2005 Average
Bearing
Interest
Rates
$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 (%)
Financial Assets
Cash at Bank 3,337 - - - - 3,337 4.48%
Trade debtors - - - - 885 885 N/A
Other receivables - - - - 1,105 1,105 N/A
Total Financial Assets 3,337 - - - 1,990 5,327 4.48%
Financial Liabilities
Trade creditors and accruals - - - - 2,227 2,227 N/A
Total Financial Liabilities - - - - 2,227 2,227 N/A
Total Financial Asset / Liabilities 3,337 - - - (237) 3,100 -
69

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
(b)
Credit Risk Exposure
Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognised if counterparties fail to meet their obligations under the
respective contracts at maturity. The credit risk on financial assets of the entity have been recognised on the
Statement of Financial Position, as the carrying amount, net any provisions for doubtful debts.
(c)
Net Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities contained within these financial statements is representative
of the net fair value of each financial asset or liability.
Note 15
Financial Instruments
Net Fair Value
2005 2004
Book Value Fair Value Book Value Fair Value
$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
Financial Assets
Cash at Bank 3,889 3,889 3,337 3,337
Trade debtors 918 918 885 885
Other receivables 1,314 1,314 1,105 1,105
Total Financial Assets 6,121 6,121 5,327 5,327
Financial Liabilities
Trade creditors and accruals 2,650 2,650 2,227 2,227
Total Financial Liabilities 2,650 2,650 2,227 2,227
Net fair values are capital amounts
Net fair values of financial instruments are determined on the following bases –
I. Cash, deposit investments, cash equivalents and non-interest bearing financial assets and liabilities (trade
debtors, other receivables, trade creditors and advances) are valued at cost which approximates to net fair value
II. Interest bearing liability amounts are based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at
current market interest rates, quoted for trade (Treasury Corporation of Victoria.)
Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Note 16
Commitments
(i) Operating Leases
Commitments for lease payments are as follows -
Less than one year 12 36
Greater than 1 year but less than five years - 12
12 48
(ii) Other Commitments
At 30 June 2005, future contractual commitments for supply
of goods and services entered into and not provided for in the
Statement of Financial Position amount to $11,944,000
(2003-2004 $3,014,000)
Contracted Services Agreements (Commitments)
Security 4,339 985
Provision of Meals and Labour 3,454 730
Recreational Services 154 100
Cleaning Services 1,889 291
Waste Removal 28 21
Facility Maintenance 268 410
Pharmacy Services 1,277 400
Pathology Services 273 64
Audit Services 212 -
Other 50 13
11,944 3,014
70
These expenditures are payable -
Not later than one year 4,253 2,508
Later than one year but not later than five years 7,691 506
11,944 3,014

Note 2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Note 17
Superannuation
Superannuation contributions for the reporting period are included as part of salaries and associated costs in the
Statement of Financial Performance of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health. The name and details of
the major employee superannuation funds and contributions made by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health are as follows –
Contribution for the Year
Payments to Health Employee Superannuation Trust Australia Fund 851 799
Payments to State Superannuation Fund 214 235
Payments to HosFund 315 260
Payments to Other Funds 29 30
Total Superannuation 1,409 1,304
(a)
Superannuation
Employees transferring to the Institute under s97 of the Mental Health Act 1986 have retained their status in state
superannuation schemes. New employees join the Health Employee’s Superannuation Trust of Australia (HESTA) or
a scheme of choice.
(b)
Basis of Calculating Contributions
In accordance with the Trust Deeds, employer contributions are calculated as a percentage of the employee’s salary.
Separate contributions are determined for the various schemes involved. The minimum rate of employer
contribution for all participating employees is the Superannuation Guarantee of 9%. The unfunded superannuation
liability in respect to members of State Superannuation schemes is shown as a liability separately by the
Department of Treasury and Finance. HESTA is an accumulation fund and has advised that the scheme is regarded
as being fully funded. There are no loans to the employer from any employee superannuation funds. There were no
contributions outstanding at the end of the financial year (Nil - 2003-2004).
Note 18
(a)
Responsible Persons Related Disclosures
Responsible Persons
The relevant Minister and Councillors of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health are deemed to be the
responsible persons by Ministerial Direction pursuant to the provision of the Financial Management Act 1994.
Period
Responsible Minister
The responsible person (Minister) of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health
during the reporting period was –
Minister for Health, The Hon. Bronwyn Pike, MLA 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Governing Councillors
The responsible persons (Councillors) of the Institute at any time during the reporting period
were-
The Hon. Mr Jim Kennan, SC, Chair 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
The Hon. Justice Bernard Teague, Deputy Chair, Nominee of the Attorney-General 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Robert Adler 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Michael Burt, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Tony Goad 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Una Gold 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Debbie King, Nominee of the Minister for Corrections 1.7.04 – 8.7.04
Terry Laidler 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Professor Paul Mullen, Clinical Director, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
Judith Player 1.7.04 – 30.6.05
David Ware, Nominee of the Minister for Corrections 9.7.04 – 30.6.05
71

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
(b)
Remuneration of Responsible Persons
The number of Responsible Persons are shown in their relevant income bands;
2005 2004
No.
No.
Income Band
$0 - $9,999 9 6
$10,000 - $19,999 - 1
$100,000 - $109,999 1 -
$150,000 - $159,999 - 1
Total Numbers 10 8
Total remuneration received or due and receivable by Responsible Persons
from the reporting entity amounted to 132,384 157,986
(c)
Executive Officers Remuneration
The number of Executive Officers other than Ministers and Accountable Officers, whose total remuneration
(including bonuses, LSL payments, redundancy payments and retirement benefits) for the year falls within each
successive $10,000 band, commencing at $100,000.
2005 2004
No.
No.
Income Band
$100,000 - $109,999 1 -
$110,000 - $119,999 1 1
$120,000 - $129,999 - -
$130,000 - $149,999 1 1
Total Numbers 3 2
2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Total remuneration for the reporting period for Executive Officers
included above amounted to - 354 247
(d)
(e)
(f)
Clinical Director
The Minister for Health appoints the Clinical Director of the Institute pursuant to s117H of the Mental Health Act
1986. The Clinical Director is Chair in Forensic Psychiatry at Monash University. His service is provided through
an arrangement with Monash University.
Loans to Councillors
No loans were made to or are payable by Councillors
Other Transactions
There are no other transactions between the members of the Council and the Institute.
Note 19
Remuneration of Auditors
Audit fees paid or payable to the Victorian Auditor-General's Office
for audit of the Institute’s current financial report
2005 2004
$’000 $’000
Paid as at 30 June 2005 - -
Payable as at 30 June 2005 13 12
Total Paid and Payable 13 12
Note 20
Contingent Liabilities
There are no Contingent Liabilities at 30 June 2005 (Nil 2003 – 2004)
72

Note 21
Impacts of adopting AASB equivalents to IASB standards
Following the adoption of Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (A-IFRS), the
Institute will report for the first time in compliance with A-IFRS when results for the financial year ended 30 June
2006 are released.
It should be noted that under A-IFRS, there are requirements that apply specifically to not-for-profit entities that are
not consistent with A-IFRS requirements. The Institute is established to achieve the objectives of government in
providing services free of charge or at prices significantly below their cost of production for the collective
consumption by the community, which is incompatible with generating profit as a principal objective.
Consequently, where appropriate, the Institute applies those paragraphs in accounting standards applicable to notfor-profit
entities.
An A-IFRS compliant financial report will comprise a new statement of changes in equity in addition to the three
existing financial statements, which will all be renamed. The Statement of Financial Performance will be renamed
as the Operating Statement, the Statement of Financial Position will revert to its previous title as the Balance sheet
and the Statement of Cash Flows will be simplified as the Cash flow Statement. However, for the purpose of
disclosing the impact of adopting A-IFRS in the 2004-2005 financial report, which is prepared under existing
accounting standards, existing titles and terminologies will be retained.
With certain exceptions, entities that have adopted A-IFRS must record transactions that are reported in the
financial report as though A-IFRS had always applied. This requirement also extends to any comparative
information included within the financial report. Most accounting policy adjustments to apply A-IFRS retrospectively
will be made against accumulated surplus/(deficit) at the 1 July 2004 opening balance sheet date for the
comparative period. The exceptions include deferral until 1 July 2005 of the application and adjustments for:
• AASB 132 Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation;
• AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement;
• AASB 4 Insurance Contracts;
• AASB 1023 General Insurance Contracts (revised July 2004); and
• AASB 1038 Life Insurance Contracts (revised July 2004).
The comparative information for transactions affected by these standards will be accounted for in accordance with
existing accounting standards.
The Institute has taken the following steps in managing the transition to A-IFRS and has achieved the following
scheduled milestones:
• established a steering committee to oversee the transition to and implementation of the A-IFRS;
• established an A-IFRS project team to review the new accounting standards to identify key issues and the
likely impacts resulting from the adoption of A-IFRS and any relevant Financial Reporting Directions as
issued by the Minister for Finance;
• participated in an education and training process to raise awareness of the changes in reporting
requirements and the processes to be undertaken.; and
• initiated reconfiguration and testing of user systems and processes to meet new requirements.
This financial report has been prepared in accordance with Australian accounting standards and other financial
reporting requirements (Australian GAAP). A number of differences between Australian GAAP and A-IFRS have been
identified as potentially having material impact on the Institute’s financial position and financial performance
following the adoption of A-IFRS. The following tables outline the estimated significant impacts on the financial
position of the Institute as at 30 June 2005 and the likely impact on the current year result had the financial
statements been prepared using A-IFRS.
The estimates disclosed below are the Institute’s best estimates of the significant quantitative impact of the
changes as at the date of preparing the 30 June 2005 financial report. The actual effects of transition to A-IFRS
may differ from the estimates disclosed due to:
a) change in facts and circumstances
b) ongoing work being undertaken by the A-IFRS project team;
c) potential amendments to A-IFRS and Interpretations; and
d) emerging accepted practice in the interpretation and application of A-IFRS and UIG Interpretations.
73

2004-2005 Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2005
Table 1: Reconciliation of net result as presented under Australian GAAP and that under A-IFRS*
Note Year Ending 30 June
2005
Net result as reported under Australian GAAP (905)
Estimated A-IFRS impact on Revenue
Revenue
Estimated A-IFRS impact on Expenses
Employee benefits 21.2 (20)
Depreciation and amortisation expense
Borrowing costs
Grants and transfer payments
Supplies and Consumables
Impairment expenses
Total estimated A-IFRS impact on net results
Net result under A-IFRS (885)
Table 2: Reconciliation of total assets and total liabilities as presented under Australian GAAP and that under A-
IFRS*
Note Year Ending 30 June
2005
Total Assets under Australian GAAP 47,408
Estimated A-IFRS impact on Assets
Inventories -
Inventory held for distribution -
Property, plant and equipment -
Intangible assets -
Investment properties -
Non-Current assets held for sale -
Total estimated A-IFRS impact on assets -
Total assets under A-IFRS 47,408
Total Liabilities under Australian GAAP 5,949
Estimated A-IFRS impact on Liabilities
Provisions (50)
Total estimated A-IFRS impact on Liabilities (50)
Total Liabilities under A-IFRS 5,889
Table 3: Reconciliation of equity as presented under Australian GAAP and that under A-IFRS*
Note Year Ending 30 June
2005
Total equity under Australian GAAP 41,459
Estimated A-IFRS impact on equity
Contributed Capital -
Reserves 21.1 (7,540)
Accumulated surplus/(Deficit) 21.1, 21.2 7,590
Total estimated A-IFRS impact on equity (50)
Total equity under A-IFRS 41,509
With limited exceptions the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health will be required to recognise adjustments
on first time adoption of A-IFRS directly in accumulated surplus/(deficit) at the date of transition to A-IFRS.
74

1. Impairment of assets. AASB 136 Impairment of Assets requires assets to be assessed for indicators of
impairment each year. This standard applies to all assets, other than inventories, financial assets and assets
arising from construction contracts, regardless of whether they are measured on a cost or fair value basis. If
indicators of impairment exist, the carrying value of an asset will need to be tested to ensure that the carrying
value does not exceed its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its value-in-use and fair value less costs to
sell. For not-for-profit entities, value-in-use of an asset is generally its depreciated replacement cost.
An impairment test was conducted on transition date, 1 July 2004 and at 30 June 2005, which indicated that
there is no impairment on the Institutes property, plant and equipment. This is inline with the upward revaluation
of the land and buildings at 30 June 2004 and 30 June 2005..
Property, plant and equipment. When an asset is initially recognised, AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment
requires the capitalisation of costs of dismantling and removing an asset and restoring the site on which the asset
was created, together with the recognition of a provision at present value in accordance with AASB 137
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. These costs (and the related provisions) are not
recognised under Australian GAAP. The Institute has no current legal or constructive obligation for the dismantling
of its property plant and equipment at 30 June 2005, hence there is no required adjustment due to this change in
accounting policy.
For its land and buildings the Institute has taken the deemed cost option available under AASB 1 First-time
adoption of A-IFRS. The revaluation of the land and buildings at 30 June 2004 has been taken as the deemed
cost and has the impact of transferring the asset revaluation reserve prior to 30 June 2004 of $2,955,577 and
accumulated depreciation of buildings up to 30 June 2004 of $1,351,980 and the revaluation of land and
buildings of $2,730,264.11 to accumulated surpluses/(deficits) on transition to A-IFRS at 1 July 2004.
2. Employee Benefits. Under existing Australian accounting standards, employee benefits such as wages and
salaries, annual leave and sick leave are required to be measured at their nominal amount regardless of whether
they are expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date. On adoption of A-IFRS, a distinction is
made between short-term and long-term employee benefits and AASB 119 Employee Benefits requires liabilities
for short-term employee benefits to be measured at nominal amounts and liabilities for long-term employee
benefits to be measured at present value. AASB 119 defines short-term employee benefits as employee benefits
that fall due wholly within twelve months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related
service. Therefore, liabilities for employee benefits such as wages and salaries, annual leave and sick leave are
required to be measured at present value where they are not expected to be settled within 12 months of the
reporting date. The effect of the above requirement on the Institute’s Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June
2005 will be an estimated decrease in employee benefits liability of $19,992. For the year ended 30 June 2005,
employee benefits expense is expected to increase by $19,992 as the present value discount on the liabilities for
long-term employee benefits unwinds.
3. Capitalised borrowing costs.. On adoption of A-IFRS, the Institute has elected to immediately expense all
borrowing costs as they are incurred, even where they relate to qualifying assets. There is no impact of this
accounting policy change on the Institute at 30 June 2005 as no borrowing costs have previously been
capitalised.
4. Finance leases. Existing Australian accounting standards require a lessee of a finance lease to recognise a lease
asset and a lease liability equal to the present value of minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease
term. On adoption of A-IFRS, the lease asset and lease liability recognised will be equal to the lower of the present
value of minimum lease payments and fair value of the leased asset. In addition, the guidance on whether a lease
is a finance or operating lease is less prescriptive under A-IFRS, and there is a greater emphasis on the substance
of the transaction when making such a judgement. As a consequence, there may be instances where leases that
have previously been classified as operating leases under Australian GAAP may be reclassified as finance leases
under A-IFRS. There is no impact of this accounting policy change on the Institute at 30 June 2005..
Non-current assets held for sale. AASB 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations requires
an entity to classify a non-current asset (or disposal group) as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered
principally through its sale rather than through continuing use. A non-current asset (or disposal group) classified as
held for sale is to be measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. In addition, an
entity is also required to cease depreciation on an asset that has been classified as held for sale. There is no
impact of this accounting policy change on the Institute at 30 June 2005.
5. Intangible Assets. Current accounting standards permit costs incurred on research and development projects to be
deferred to future periods to the extent that they are expected beyond reasonable doubt to be recoverable. Under
AASB 138 Intangible Assets, costs incurred in the research phase are not permitted to be recognised as an asset
and are expensed when incurred. Only expenditures incurred in the development phase are permitted to be
recognised as an asset to the extent that they satisfy the criteria of AASB 138. There is no impact of this
accounting policy change on the Institute at 30 June 2005.
6. Financial instruments. The Institute has elected to apply the first-time adoption exemption available under AASB
1 First-time adoption of Australian Equivalent to International Financial Reporting Standard to defer the date of
transition of AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement until 1 July 2005. Accordingly, there
will be no quantitative impacts on the financial positions as at 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005 and the financial
performance for the year ended 30 June 2005.
With the exception of receivables and payables, the majority of financial assets and liabilities held by the Institute
are valued on the Statement of Financial Position at market value with changes in value taken to the Statement
of Financial Performance. On adoption of A-IFRS, it is anticipated that there will be no significant changes in
recognition of the Institutes assets and liabilities, hence no material impact is expected from this accounting policy
change. 75

STATEMENT OF CORPORATE INTENT - 2004-05 - 2006-07
Forensicare is required by legislation (Mental
Health Act 1986, s. 117O) to prepare an
annual Corporate Plan, including a Statement
of Corporate Intent, for the Minister for
Health. The Act also requires that the
Statement of Corporate Intent, a planning
document covering the current year and two
subsequent years, be included in the Annual
Report (s. 117U). Accordingly, the Statement
of Corporate Intent 2004-2005 – 2006-
2007 is reproduced below.
Statement of Corporate Intent
2004-2005 – 2006-2007
Business Objectives
• Provide a high quality, expanded
inpatient service that delivers efficient
and effective care and treatment in a
secure environment that integrates
physical, procedural and relational
security.
• Provide a high quality, expanded
community service that delivers efficient
and effective care and treatment for
mentally disordered offenders.
• Promote and develop knowledge and
expertise in forensic mental health.
• Strengthen the capacity and expertise
of Forensicare, ensuing optimal and
efficient and effective functioning
• Expert assessment and advice to courts,
corrections, releasing authorities and
general mental health services in relation
to the early detection, assessment,
treatment and risk management of
mentally disordered offenders and
potential offenders.
• Specialist assessment and treatment in
secure inpatient facilities that provide
high quality clinical services that meet
regulations, legislative and security
requirements.
• Community follow-up, either directly
or indirectly, for clients discharged from
specialist forensic inpatient facilities or
from prison.
• Community care and treatment to target
group clients referred by area mental
health services, courts, Adult Parole
Board or Community Correctional
Services.
• Liaison and consultative services to
public mental health services and other
agencies in relation to treatment of
mentally disordered clients with
significant forensic issues
• Facilities and services that achieve high
standards of care and security and
contribute to community safety
Nature and Scope of Activities
Inpatient
Identifying, developing and implementing
forensic-specific key performance indicators
and measures.
Community
Maintaining an effective working relationship
with public mental health services in relation
to interface arrangements with the
community program.
Providing a supported accommodation
service in the Jardine flats (located adjacent
to Thomas Embling Hospital).
Strengthening clinical programming by
targeting risk assessment, co-occurring
disorders and offending/violence reduction.
Maintaining full ongoing accreditation from
Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
for Community Operations
Enhancing community mental health services
and programs for mentally ill people released
from prison
Completing at lease one comprehensive and
independent clinical audit of community
programs
Implementing consumer outcome measures
to monitor performance of clinical programs,
consistent with Department of Human
Services policy
Strengthening and enhancing mechanisms
for consumer and carer participation in
service development.
76
Accounting Policies
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health prepares general purpose financial
reports in accordance with Australian
Accounting Standard AAS29 ‘Financial
Reporting by Government Departments’.
AAS29 requires the accrual basis of
accounting to be adopted. It also
acknowledges that government departments
are primarily service-oriented entities that
require reporting consistent with
departments’ service delivery objectives.
The published annual financial report
contains a statement of financial
performance, a statement of financial
position and statement of cash flows and
is audited by the Auditor-General's Office
Victoria. The Victorian Institute of Forensic
Mental Health reports each twelve-month
period ending 30 June.
CLINICAL SERVICES
Main Undertakings
The Clinical Services program is responsible
for treating people with serious mental
disorder in the criminal justice system and
those patients at high risk of behaving
violently. Clinical Services provides the
following inpatient and community services –
Maintaining 100 specialist forensic inpatient
beds at the Thomas Embling Hospital
Maintaining a comprehensive security system
at Thomas Embling Hospital through ongoing
monitoring and upgrading as required
Maintaining full ongoing accreditation from
Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
for Inpatient Operations
Strengthening clinical programming by
targeting risk assessment, co-occurring
disorders and offending/violence reduction.
Enhancing mental health programs for
mentally ill prisoners and those remanded in
custody (subject to requirements of
correctional management and health
providers)
Implementing consumer outcome measures
to monitor performance of clinical programs,
consistent with DHS policy
Strengthening and enhancing mechanisms
for consumer and carer participation in
service development
Completing at least one comprehensive and
independent clinical audit of inpatient
services
Reviewing all emergency contingency
planning in collaboration with fire brigade,
police and corrections
Performance Measures
Inpatient
Bed occupancy rate
Percentage of patients who have a physical
examination completed within 48 hours of
admission
Maintain the average length of stay achieved
in 2002-2003 for security (s16(3)(b)) and
involuntary (s12) patients
Unplanned readmission rate within 28 days
Number of admissions
Number of individual patients
Total number of separations
Number of assessments/secondary
consultations performed for other agencies,
including public mental health services
Number of psychiatric and psychological
reports prepared for Victorian courts
Number of escapes from Thomas Embling
Hospital
Percentage of patient leave episodes
involving a patient absconding
Number of category one incidents (other
than patient absconding)
Proportion of direct care staff undertaking
aggression management training within 6
weeks of commencement

Prison Forensic Mental Health Service
– Melbourne Assessment Prison –
Percentage of prisoners considered a risk
to themselves and who are assessed by a
mental health professional within 2 hours of
referral as a proportion of all prisoners who
are so referred
Complaints received regarding health issues
or access to appropriate health care which
the Commissioner receives directly and/or via
the Ombudsman and proven to the
Commissioner’s satisfaction to be valid.
Community
Number of client contacts
Number of continuing clients
Percentage of Individual Service/Treatment
Plans commenced within 6 weeks of
registration
Percentage of section 47 certificates provided
to the court within the specified time period
Percentage of section 41(1) reports provided
to the court within the specified time period
Number of new registered clients
Number of client separations
Number of assessments performed for public
mental health services
Number of assessments performed for other
agencies
Number of psychiatric and psychological
reports prepared for Victorian courts
Number of Non Custodial Supervision Orders
supervised where treatment is not provided
by Forensicare
Number of category one incidents
Jardine Transition Program
Admissions – number of clients on overnight
leave; number of clients on extended leave
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
AND RESEARCH
Main Undertakings
The Professional Education and Research
program—
• provides professional education and
training on forensic mental health issues
to Forensicare, public mental health
services and other key stakeholders.
• promotes and develops knowledge and
expertise in forensic mental health
• produces and facilitates high quality
research to better inform clinical practice
in the provision of public mental health
services.
Nature and Scope of Activities
Facilitating the development of skills and
expertise in forensic mental health through
an active professional education program
Supporting and promoting a specialist
research program to inform clinical service
delivery
Disseminating forensic mental health clinical
and research knowledge to public mental
health services through workshops and
newsletters.
Performance Measures
Professional Education
Number of education and training sessions
provided to area mental health services
Number of education and training sessions
provided to other agencies
Number of formal presentations and papers
delivered to professional forums
Number of professional education
placements provided
Research
Number of completed research projects
Number of research hours undertaken by
clinical staff
Number of developments in clinical practice
introduced as a result of research findings
Percentage of clinical staff successfully
completing research and/or research training
courses
Number of scholarly articles published in
refereed journals and books
CORPORATE SUPPORT AND
DEVELOPMENT
Main Undertakings
The Corporate Support and Development
program –
• Provides advice to the Department of
Human Services and other key
stakeholders on forensic mental health
issues.
• Provides information to the general
community on forensic mental health
issues to promote and develop
knowledge and expertise in forensic
mental health.
• Promotes the activities and services of
the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health to enhance and improve public
and key stakeholder confidence.
• Develops and/or expands services as
approved by the Minister for Health
Nature and Scope of Activities
Developing a comprehensive 5 year planning
framework for the organisation that
incorporates strategic directions across health
and justice to guide development of the
Institute in 2004-2008.
Maintaining a comprehensive Quality
Improvement Program (which may include
targeted benchmarking against like services)
to promote productivity efficiency and high
quality service provision
Maintaining interstate and international
forensic networks to strengthen capacity and
expertise, enhance service delivery and
inform public mental health services
Pursuing service development opportunities
that will strengthen the capabilities of
Forensicare
Providing high-level advice on forensic health
and forensic mental health issues
Continuing to develop independent
information technology capabilities to
enhance organisational efficiency, research
and professional education
Contributing to the development of a
combined secure extended care-medium
secure forensic facility
Developing and implementing a staged
expansion of Community Forensic Mental
Health Service to meet increased demand for
specialist services
Maintaining full ongoing organisation-wide
accreditation from Australian Council on
Healthcare Standards
Maintaining strong level of credibility with
Government for capable and efficient
financial and security management
Demonstrating effective professional
management of industrial relations issues
within the workplace
Maintaining the confidence of Government
(including police, corrections and courts) and
the community for services provided
Developing an organisational culture that
harnesses and values the expertise of staff in
delivering excellent forensic mental health
services.
Performance Measures
Complete quarterly reports and submit to
Minister by the 21st day after end of
reporting period (ie. 21 Oct, 21 Jan., 21
April, 21 July)
Number of responses for specialist advice
and information to Department of Human
Services and other government agencies
Number of submissions which address gaps
in service in forensic mental health, public
mental health and justice environments
Complete Quarterly Security Audits (audit
process to commence at end of July, October,
January and April) and submit action report
to DHS following tabling at Quality
Improvement Sub-Committee
Prepare report on Category One Incident and
submit to DHS within 48 hours of incident
Submit Quarterly Incident Report to DHS
following tabling at QI Sub-Committee
Achieve service requirements within allocated
funding.
77

GLOSSARY
78
Acute Assessment Unit /AAU
Australian Council on Healthcare
Standards/ACHS
Carers
Category 1 Incident
Client
Community Program, or Community
Forensic Mental Health Service
Corporate Governance
Corporate Plan
Corrections Victoria
Council
Custodial Supervision Order
Department of Human Services
Department of Justice
EEO
EFT
EquIP
Extended Leave
FBT
Forensic patient
Inpatient
Jardine Transition Program
Melbourne Assessment Prison/MAP
Medical Record
Multidisciplinary
Non-Custodial Supervision Order
Occupied Bed Days
Outcome
RAPID
Separation/Discharge
Statutory Requirements
Thomas Embling Hospital
A 16-bed unit providing statewide assessment of male prisoners thought to be mentally disordered
in the prison system. The forensic mental health service in the Acute Assessment Unit is provided by
Forensicare under a contractual arrangement with Department of Justice.
The agency which inspects and evaluates health care facilities to obtain accreditation.
People who care for patients/consumers who are not members of the mental health care team.
A serious incident within Forensicare that requires notification to external agencies (eg. Victoria
Police or Department of Human Services).
A person receiving care and/or treatment from Forensicare’s Community Forensic Mental Health
Service.
The service arm of Forensicare responsible for the delivery of community programs.
Effective, fair, transparent and accountable management of the relationship with the community with
integrity to produce an enhanced and efficient service.
The annual planning document that Forensicare is required by legislation to prepare for the Minister
for Health.
The Victorian Government agency responsible for the 11 state managed prisons and community
based corrections.
The Council of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health.
An order made by the court committing a person to Thomas Embling Hospital for an indefinite term,
with a review date as specified by the court.
The Victorian Government Department responsible for the provision of mental health, and through
which Forensicare reports to the Minister for Health.
The Victorian Government Department responsible for the criminal justice system (including prisons
and community corrections).
Equal Employment Opportunity.
Equivalent Full Time staffing position.
Evaluation and Quality Improvement Program – the program by which health care facilities
voluntarily undertake continuous improvement to gain accreditation.
A period of leave (up to 12 months) granted by the court for a forensic patient where the patient
resides outside the Hospital. Each grant of leave requires a separate court hearing and is subject
to specific conditions set by the court.
Fringe Benefits Tax.
A person detained under Victoria’s mental impairment legislation – Crimes (Mental Impairment and
Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997.
A person who is admitted to Thomas Embling Hospital for care and treatment.
A supported living program for patients moving back to the community from Thomas Embling
Hospital.
The reception prison for men, managed by Corrections Victoria, located in Spencer Street,
Melbourne. Forensicare provides forensic mental health services in Melbourne Assessment Prison,
under a contractual arrangement with Department of Justice.
The file containing facts of a patient/client mental health and life history.
Care or a service provided with input from more than one discipline/profession.
An order made by the court allowing a forensic patient to live in the community with specified
conditions. It can be made at initial trial following a finding of not guilty by reason of mental
impairment, or later, following successful periods of extended leave. Like a Custodial Supervision
Order, a Non-custodial Supervision Order is for an indefinite term.
Total number of patients in Thomas Embling Hospital in a given period.
Results that may or may not have been intended that occur as a result of a service or intervention.
The data base used by the Department of Human to capture all mental health data across the state.
The completion of an episode of care and the patient/client leaves the organisation.
Any requirement laid down by an Act of Parliament.
Forensicare’s 100-bed secure inpatient facility.

DISCLOSURE INDEX
The Annual Report of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health is prepared in accordance with all relevant Victorian legislations. This
index has been prepared to facilitate identification of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health compliance with statutory disclosure
requirements.
Legislation Requirement Page Reference
Ministerial Directions
Report of Operations
Charter and purpose
FRD 22 Manner of establishment and the relevant Ministers 1, 63, 71
FRD 22 Objectives, functions, powers and duties 1, 76
FRD 22 Nature and range of services provided 1
Management and structure
FRD 22 Organisational structure 49
Financial and other information
FRD 22 Statement of workforce data and merit and equity 52, 53
FRD 22 Summary of the financial results for the year 2-3
FRD 22 Significant changes in financial position during the year 2
FRD 22 Operational and budgetary objectives and performance against objectives 76-77
FRD 22 Major changes or factors affecting performance 4-6
FRD 22 Subsequent events N/A
FRD 22 Application and operation of Freedom of Information Act 1982 51
FRD 22 Compliance with building and maintenance provisions of Building Act 1993 51
FRD 22 Statement on National Competition Policy 51
FRD 22 Application and operation of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 51
FRD 22 Details of consultancies over $100,000 51
FRD 22 Details of consultancies under $100,000 51
FRD 12 Disclosure of major contracts N/A
FRD 22 Statement of availability of other information 51
FRD 22 Occupational health and safety 52
FRD 15 Executive officer disclosures 72
FRD 10 Disclosure index 51, 79
FRD 24 Reporting of office-based environmental impacts 41-43
FRD 25 Victorian Industry Participation Policy disclosures 51
FRD 8 Budget portfolio outcomes N/A
Financial Statements
Financial statements required under Part 7 of the FMA
SD 4.2(c) Compliance with Australian accounting standards and other authoritative pronouncements 63
SD 4.2(c) Compliance with Ministerial Directions 63
SD 4.2(d) Rounding of amounts 63
SD 4.2(c) Accountable officer’s declaration 58
SD 4.2(f) Model Financial Report 63
SD 4.2(b) Statement of financial performance 60
SD 4.2(b) Statement of financial position 61
SD 4.2(b) Statement of cash flows during the year 62
Other disclosures in notes to the financial statements
FRD 9 Departmental disclosure of administered assets and liabilities N/A
FRD 11 Disclosure of ex-gratia payments N/A
FRD 13 Disclosure of parliamentary appropriations N/A
FRD 21 Responsible person and executive officer disclosures 71-72
FRD 23 Superannuation liabilities and disclosure 64, 71
Legislation
Freedom of Information Act 1982 51
Building Act 1983 51
Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 51
Victorian Industry Participation Policy Act 2003 51
79

INDEX
80
A
Academic Centre – 34
Accredited Training Program – 34
Advice to Government – 35
Allied Health, Graduate Program – 25
Area Mental Health Services –
Forensic Training – 25
Asset Management – 39
Audit Committee – 47, 48
Audit Program – 48
Auditor-General’s Report – 59
B
Budget Composition – 55
Budget Management – 38
Building and Maintenance – 51
Business Support – 38-39
C
Care Plan Assessments Victoria – 35
Carer Participation Plan – 16, 20
Cash Flow – 56
Chairman’s Report – 8
Chief Executive Officer’s Report – 9-11
Clinical Benchmarking – 36
Clinical Director’s Report – 13
Clinical Operations – 1
Clinical Placements – 25
Clinical Services – 13-21
Clinical Waste – 43
Code of Conduct, Staff – 53
Collaborative ‘Cluster’ Training – 26
Community Forensic Mental Health
Service – 20-21
Community Forensic Mental Health Services,
Staged Expansion Proposal – 34
Composition of Revenue – 3
Conference – IAFMHS 2005 – 34
Conformity – 51
Consolidating and Strengthening Clinical Programs
(CSCP) – 16, 20, 22-23
Consultants – 51
Corporate Governance – 45-51
Corporate Support and Development – 32-43
Corporate Support, Legal – 38
Council, Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental
Health – 45
Council, Committees – 46
Council, Delegation by Authority – 45
Council, Members – 45-46
Council, Members Retirement/
New Appointment – 45
Council, Operation, Procedures and Meetings – 47
Court Reports – 38
Critical Incident Stress Management – 53
Custodial Supervision Orders – 37
D
Debtors by Category, Five Year Comparison – 3
Director of Psychological Services’ Report – 14
Disclosure Index – 79
E
Education – Inservice and Continuing – 26
Educational Affiliations – 26
Emergency Management – 17
Energy Conservation – 42
Environmental Management – 41-43
Environmental Sustainability Strategy – 42
Equal Employment Opportunity – 53
Equity/Assets, Stability – 55
Ethics Approval, Research – 30
Executive, Forensicare – 50
F
Facilities Management – 39
Fee-for-Service/External Service Provision – 35
Finance Committee – 47
Financial Analysis – 2
Financial Governance – 47
Financial Management – 55
Financial Management,
Compliance Framework - 56
Financial Performance – 2
Financial Position – 56
Financial Position, Significant Changes – 2
Financial Reports, Index – 57
Financial Strategy, Long-term – 56
Financial Sustainability – 56
Five Year Plan – 34
Fleet Management – 39
Freedom of Information – 51
G
Gender Profile – 52
General Government Purchasing Card – 56
Glossary – 78
Graduate and Postgraduate Nurse Program – 25
Graduate Program, Allied Health – 25
H
Health Information Management – 36
Highs and Lows of 2004-2005 – 1
Human Resources – Our People – 52-53
I
Industrial Relations – 53
Infection Control – 53
Information Management – 39
Inpatient Services – 16-19
Inservice and Continuing Education – 26
International and Interstate Visitors – 35
International Financial Reporting
Standards – 38, 56
J
Jardine Transition Program – 21
Judicial and Legal Links – 38
L
Law Reform and Training – 38
Learning and Development – 53
Legal Services – 37-38
Legal Status of Patients – 19
Legislation – 1
Legislative Compliance – 51
Logistics/Fleet Management – 39
Looking Ahead, Financial – 56
M
Major Presentations– Professors Mullen
and Ogloff – 26-28
Maintenance – 39, 50-
Management Team – 50
Martin, Dr Trish, Report – 15
Mental Health Court Liaison Service – 20
Merit and Equity – 53
Melbourne Assessment Prison, Services – 17
Mission Statement – 1
Mullen, Professor Paul, Report – 13
Mullen, Professor Paul,
Major Presentations – 26-27
N
National Competition Policy – 51
Non-Custodial Supervision Orders – 37
Nursing Practice Director, Report – 16
Nursing Recruitment and Retention – 16
O
Objectives – 1
Occupational Health and Safety – 52
Ogloff, Professor James, Report – 14
Ogloff, Professor James,
Major Presentations – 27-28
Organisational Chart – 49
Orientation – 26
Other Information, Availability of – 51
Our Growth – 7
Our People – 52-53
Outcome Measurement – 36
P
Paper Use – 42
Payroll Services – 39
Patient Profile – Thomas Embling
Hospital – 18-19
Prison Discharge, Support – 35
Prison Mental Health – 17
Procurement – 39
Professional Education – 25-28
Professional Education and Research – 24-31
Proposal, Secure Extended Care/
Forensic Hospital – 33
Proposal, Staged Expansion of Community
Forensic Mental Health – 34
Psychological Services Report, Director – 14
Q
Quality Improvement – 35
Quality Improvement, Council Committee – 47
R
Ratios – 55
Recycling, Other Initiatives – 43
Reporting Against Objectives – 4-7
Remuneration, Council Committee – 47
Research – 29-31
Research Committee – 47
Research in Progress – 31
Research Outcomes – 29
Research Published – 30
Research Report – 29
Risk Management – 48
S
Secure Extended Care/Medium Secure Forensic
Hospital, Proposal – 33
Security, Thomas Embling Hospital – 36-37
Staff Achievements – 53
Staff Climate Survey – 53
Staff Turnover – 52
Statement of Certification – 58
Statement of Corporate Intent – 76-77
Student Placements – 25
Summarising the Year – 4-7
T
Tax Compliance Audit – 56
Thomas Embling Hospital, Profile – 18-19
Training to Area Mental Health Services – 25
Training and Support, External Agencies – 26
Transportation – 43
V
Values – 53, IBC
Victims of Crime – 35
Victorian Industry Participation Policy – 51
Victorian Public Sector Compliance
Framework – 56
Vision Statement – 1
Visitors – International and Interstate – 35
W
Waste Management – 42
Water Consumption – 43
Whistleblower’s Act – 51
WorkCover – 52
Workforce Profile – 52
Y
Year in Review – 3-6

Values
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health is guided by the
Values established by the State Services Authority for the public
sector.
Staff of the Institute should demonstrate –
Responsiveness
Providing frank, impartial and timely advice to the Government
Providing high quality services to the Victorian community
Identifying and promoting best practice.
Integrity
Being honest, open and transparent in their dealings
Using powers responsibly
Reporting improper conduct
Avoiding real or apparent conflicts of interest
Striving to earn and sustain public trust of a high level.
Impartiality
Making decisions and providing advice on merit and without bias,
caprice, favouritism or self-interest
Acting fairly by objectively considering all relevant facts and fair
criteria
Implementing Government policies and programs equitably.
This annual report was designed and produced by Stavros Design (03) 9428 4586
Accountability
Working to clear objectives in a transparent manner
Accepting responsibility for their decisions and actions
Seeking to achieve best use of resources
Submitting themselves to appropriate scrutiny
Respect
Treating others fairly and objectively
Ensuring freedom from discrimination, harassment and bullying
Using their views to improve outcomes on an ongoing basis.
Leadership
Actively implementing, promoting and supporting these values.
81

Victorian Institute
of Forensic Mental Health
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield Vic 3078
Australia
Tel - 61 3 9495 9100
Fax - 61 3 9495 9199
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Thomas Embling Hospital
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield Vic 3078
Australia
Tel - 61 3 9495 9100
Fax - 61 3 9495 9199
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Community Forensic
Mental Health Service
200 Sydney Road
Brunswick Vic 3056
Tel - 61 3 9356 8500
Fax - 61 3 9356 8599
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au
Forensicare Prison
Mental Health Service
Melbourne Assessment Prison
317 Spencer Street
West Melbourne Vic 3003
Tel - 61 3 9321 4250
Fax - 61 3 9329 4830
Email info@forensicare.vic.gov.au
www.forensicare.vic.gov.au