Services at the Baxter facility

The Border Mail
21 January 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

The letter (Benefits not quite what they seem, 20 January) from Mr Dennis Black concerning services at the Baxter immigration detention facility requires correction.

All detainees are treated by qualified medical professionals. The detainee mentioned in Mr Black's letter received medical treatment at the Centre's Medical Clinic immediately after reporting his injury. He was later transferred to a local hospital for x-rays.

Medical opinion states that a cast cannot be applied while swelling is present - the swelling went down after 11 days. During that period, the ankle received pressure bandage treatment and rest as advised by qualified medical staff.

The detainee is now in a cast and is receiving ongoing medical evaluation and treatment for the injury.

Detainees are encouraged to engage in useful and meaningful activities such as gardening, preparing meals, cleaning, assisting with education programs, running activities for children and adults, or helping in the detainee shop in order to contribute to the care of themselves and of the detainee community.

No detainee is compelled to participate in any such activities - participation is entirely voluntary.

Furthermore, detainees who are so engaged have access to "merit" points that may then be exchanged for personal items additional to those freely available in the facilities or for telephone cards. These points are not a fee or a salary.

Stewart Foster
Director, Public Affairs
DIMIA