Annual Report 2004-2005 - Forensicare

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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
Page 1 and 2: Victorian Institute of Forensic Men
Page 3 and 4: Our Vision ….. to become an inter
Page 5 and 6: COMPOSITION OF REVENUE FIVE YEAR CO
Page 7 and 8: Initiatives Achievements Performanc
Page 9 and 10: LOOK HOW WE HAVE GROWN… As an org
Page 11 and 12: Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Page 13 and 14: My thanks …. Successful organisat
Page 15 and 16: Clinical Director’s Report The Th
Page 17 and 18: Nursing Practice Director’s Repor
Page 19 and 20: The implementation of the Carer Par
Page 21 and 22: SNAPSHOT OF TOTAL PATIENT POPULATIO
Page 23 and 24: JARDINE TRANSITION PROGRAM The comm
Page 25 and 26: Consolidating and Strengthening Cli
Page 27 and 28: Professional Education Strategic ob
Page 29 and 30: 20-23 June 2005, Annual Meeting of
Page 31 and 32: Research Strategic objectives • U
Page 33 and 34: RESEARCH IN PROGRESS AT 30 JUNE 200
Page 35 and 36: Strategic objectives • Provide hi
Page 37 and 38: SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH A SERIOUS M
Page 39: The recommendations included in the
Page 43 and 44: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Environmen
Page 45 and 46: Units of water consumed 2004/2005 2
Page 47 and 48: THE GOVERNING BODY - THE VICTORIAN
Page 49 and 50: COUNCIL COMMITTEES Five committees
Page 51 and 52: New Zealand Standard on Risk Manage
Page 53 and 54: LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE BUILDING AND
Page 55 and 56: Michael Daffern, Principal Psycholo
Page 57 and 58: Financial Overview FINANCIAL MANAGE
Page 59 and 60: 2004-2005 Financial Statements for
Page 78 and 79: STATEMENT OF CORPORATE INTENT - 200
Page 80 and 81: GLOSSARY 78 Acute Assessment Unit /
Page 82 and 83: INDEX 80 A Academic Centre - 34 Acc
Page 84: Victorian Institute of Forensic Men

Annual Report 2004-2005 - Forensicare

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