JCF Medical Service Branch
Building Resilience, Fostering Excellence, Caring for Our Protectors.
Accessibility
Providing ease of access to police-specific medical services in an environment considered safe for the police
health and wellness
Conducting health and wellness needs assessments, identifying police specific health needs and capacity developing;
Interventions
Establishing and implementing targeted interventions to meet these needs to improve the overall health of this population nationally.
About Us
The JCF Medical Services Branch was established as the primary medical service provider for the Jamaica Constabulary Force in January 2005. The Medical Services Branch assess, prevent and treat physical, mental, emotional and social challenges of persons employed to the police force and their immediate family members through evidence-based practice, appropriate research and policy framework. This is done by carrying out the following specific responsibilities:
- Providing ease of access to police-specific medical services in an environment considered safe for the police.
- Conducting health and wellness needs assessments, identifying police specific health needs and capacity developing; establishing and implementing targeted interventions to meet these needs to improve the overall health of this population nationally.
- Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness and efficiency
The Branch is listed as an established office within the Civil Service of Jamaica in The Establishment Act/ The Civil Service Establishment (General Order). This entity has repeatedly met the required regulatory and operational standards of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica, to dispense medical services. The services offered by the MSB are dispensed from various sites. It is headquartered at the National Police College of Jamaica, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, with satellite operations from The Jamaica Police Convalescent Centre in Black River, Summit Police Station in Montego Bay, St James and at Training Facilities in Tranquility Bay St. Elizabeth; Harman Barracks in Kingston, and Camp Verley in St. Catherine. The establishment of these satellite operations has enabled the MSB to provide increased accessibility to health services/ programs among police personnel in remote locations.
Vision and Objectives
The Jamaica Constabulary Force Medical Services Branch seeks to assess, prevent and treat physical, mental, emotional and social challenges of persons employed to the police force and their family members through evidence-based practice, appropriate research and policy framework. The MSB will ensure a healthy workforce to provide effective policing for the nation of Jamaica.
Services Offered
The Medical Services Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force provides General Medical Services to sworn and unsworn members of the force, their immediate families, force applicants, and students in training. The services are accessible through appointments, walk-in visits, and mobile services and are staffed by a team of medical professionals, including General Practitioners, Public Health Specialists, Registered Nurses, Patient Care Assistants, and First Aiders. The General Medical Services are available at four fixed locations, namely the National Police College of Jamaica, Harman Barracks, Summit, and the Jamaica Police Convalescent Centre. The services are based on the principles and practices of General Medicine and Public Health.
These services offered also include:
The management of chronic non-communicable diseases
The Medical Services Branch collaborates with specialists to diagnose and treat non-communicable diseases in line with Ministry guidelines. They prioritize screening for these conditions, which is performed routinely for clients accessing their services. The department takes a collaborative approach to provide effective care based on the principles of practice for non-communicable diseases.
The Early Intervention Programme
The Medical Services Branch offers screening for non-communicable diseases, including age and gender-appropriate cancers, for clients aged 40 years and older. The Healthy Lifestyle Programme brings these services to members in their work settings, in collaboration with specialists from other departments of the Medical Services Branch. Health education and promotion services include the publishing of materials related to the early detection and control of these illnesses through internal JCF communication channels.
The management of communicable diseases
This may involve the movement of the services to the affected areas within the JCF and the prescribed management forged through collaborations with our external stakeholders from the respective Health Departments and Public Health teams.
Psychology and Clinical Social Work
Counselling services
Aimed at helping JCF members to manage self. Counselling services is provided in individual or group setting utilizing face -to-face or telehealth approach.
Enhancing Resiliency (ER) Program
Seeks to educate police officers on managing stress and utilizing the appropriate coping mechanisms. This program is targeted at police officers in high stress units/department
First Aid for Mental Health Program
Mental Health First Aid training provides police personnel with basic knowledge and skills to help their peers in mental health crisis until they receive professional treatment or the crisis is resolved.
Squad Support Program (S3)
The aim of providing psychoeducational information and healthy coping strategies to police trainees is to change the traditional approach to mental health within the force and establish positive relationships with trainees to encourage them to access MSB services as needed.
Review, Introspect, Deliberate & Evaluate (R.I.D.E)
To destigmatize mental health and provide support to those who are affected by mental illness. This brings awareness to JCF members about mental health and mental health issues and helps members who are affected to feel comfortable in seeking professional help.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) Program
Seeks to provide the psychoeducational information for JCF Members so that they understand and practice emotionally healthy habits like strengthening self-awareness and self-management; practicing healthy relationship management and social awareness.
Reorientation Course
To provide mental and emotional support to officers who were on interdiction or suspension. Also to provide psychoeducational information to increase knowledge and expose them to healthy coping strategies.
Critical incident debriefing
To provide mental and emotional support to officers who have suffered loss (shooting, motor vehicle accident, death by sickness etc.) whether on the job or in their personal lives.
- PAHO Initiative (Prevalence of PTSD and Major Depression in Police Officers)
The purpose of this initiative is to expand MSB knowledge about the risk factors contributing PTSD and Major Depression in the JCF officers, its prevalence and developing effective strategies to address these.
Physiotherapy Services
- Rehabilitation through JCF Physiotherapy Services
- Injury Prevention and Management (including Ergonomics)
- The Physiotherapist’s Guide to Developing and Maintaining Physical Fitness
- Physiotherapy Management of Common Injuries/Illnesses (encompassing each body system)
- The Role of Physiotherapy in Mental Health
- Physiotherapy Intervention in the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Shifting Paradigm (Includes Physiotherapy Management of Complications related to COVID-19)
Physiotherapy services are available to all Force members (JCF, DC), civilian employees within the organization and their family members.
Physiotherapy referrals are accepted from the medical doctors at the Medical Services Branch, or from medical/dental practitioners external to the MSB.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
The Nutrition Department was established in 2018 with the goal of developing and implementing a comprehensive, science-based nutrition policy to address the needs of the JCF, including chronic diseases related to lifestyle and diet. The department offers individualized weight management programs and medical nutrition therapy, health promotion and education programs, wellness events, food service management, and conducts research on nutrition-related issues to develop appropriate interventions and establish monitoring systems.
First Aid and Ambulance Services
The Jamaica Constabulary Force Training sites at four locations offer 24/7 First Aid services manned by Medical Services Branch (MSB) trained personnel. The services are also provided for physical assessments of the force applicants and serving members, training activities, official JCF ceremonies, and community outreach programs like youth and music camps.