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Hornery, Sonia to the
Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research
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- Which unit or units of Hunter New England Area Health Service denies
methadone pharmacotherapy treatment to released ex-prisoners who are referred
to Hunter New England Area Health by the Justice Department?
- What is the reason for this injustice to released prisoners?
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Answer -
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I am advised:
- and (2) Hunter New England Local Health District Drug and Alcohol Clinical
Services provides opiate substitution services (methadone and buprenorphine)
across the Hunter New England Local Health District. Dosing services are
provided in Newcastle, Cessnock, Taree and Tamworth.
These dosing
services are subject to high demand and referred clients are accepted on the
basis of clinical urgency, such as pregnant women and seriously ill
patients. All other referrals are placed on a waiting list and provided
with a list of alternative treatment options.
People who are transferred
to Justice Health from Hunter New England Local Health District public programs
and incarcerated for less than three months are able to rejoin the program on
release. People who are incarcerated for longer than three months are assessed
to ascertain whether they meet the criteria for the most clinically urgent
referrals.
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Question asked on 12 October 2011 (session 55-1)
and printed in
Questions & Answers Paper No. 48
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Answer received on 16 November 2011
and printed in
Questions & Answers Paper No. 59
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