St Vincent’s Becomes First Hospital to Include Correctional Health in JMO Rotation You are here:HomeNewsroomNews St Vincent’s Becomes First Hospital to Include Correctional Health in JMO Rotation 19 Jul 2024 St Vincent’s Junior Medical Officer, Callum Tate has recently completed a medical rotation within a correctional setting, a first for NSW. Approved by HETI in late 2023, the new clinical placement opportunity is only available through St Vincent’s. Providing healthcare to Parklea Correctional Centre, a 1,350 bed facility, the St Vincent’s medical team includes general practitioners, emergency doctors and a psychiatrist who provide primary care for Parklea custodial patients with a variety of health conditions, including substance use disorders, mental health, minor injuries, and chronic health conditions. The new rotation aims to provide early career doctors with an insight into correctional health – a specialisation field currently missing from medical education and training. “I chose the corrections placement to expand my experience and e try something completely new and different”, Callum explained. “I felt completely safe and supported the whole time”. By providing an opportunity in the foundational years of medical training, to experience and demystify this important medical field, this rotation promotes the ongoing engagement of healthcare professionals in to a traditionally under-resourced area, to support this vulnerable population. “It was a really unique experience and I’d really encourage any JMOs to do it. I never thought I’d be working in a correctional setting, but it has really enriched my training. Opportunities like this aren’t available anywhere else, and it’s one of the things that makes St Vincent’s unique”, Callum said. Dr Callum Tate