People with health issues denied medication in Police Custody

Research Led by Newcastle University, Working with Colleagues at Northumbria and Durham Universities, Found That Health Care Provision in Police Custod is frequently denied to detainees as not enhas nurses and other health care (HCPS) are available to custody (HCPS) Suites, or practices are followed that Prevent Medications Being Issued.

It also found that there was the postcode lottery in therms of which medications hcps were able to provide to detainees. This frequently leads to different levels of care being provided across police force areas.

The Research Also Highlighted That Custody Officers Were ofTen Skeptical or Mistrustful About the Legitimacy of Detainees’ Health Conditions and Their Requests for Medication.

Medications Being Whitheld Didn’t Just Include Methadone and Other Opioid Replacements, But Also Prescription Drugs for the Treatment of Epilepsy, Cancer, Mental Health Conditions and Insulin for Diabetes.

Dr. Gethin Rees, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Newcastle University, Said, “Health Care Provision in Police Custody at the Present Time Does Not Meet The Standards of ‘Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Good Quality’ Adapted from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have Recommendations That Will Assist Health Care Provider Companies and the Police To Meet These Minimum Standards. “

The ‘Equivalence in Police Custody’ Report Present The Research Findings and Makes A Number of Recommendations to Improve the Standard of Health Care Delivery in Police Custody.

Among the Recommendations Made, The Researchers Say That All Health Care Providers Should Sign Up To a Standardized Medication List and Patient Group Directive – Framework that Allows Health Care Professionals to Patients to Meet Specific Crythery, Without The Need is the prescription from a doctor. This World Avoid Divergent Standards of Care Across Forces.

One Person Who Had Lived Experience of Being Detained in Police Custody Without Access to Health Care Told The Research Team: “The Health Care in There is Absolutelly Hopeless. Won’t Help You. They Won´t Give You Methadone, Let Alone Phone Up The Chemist and Ask If This Guy is on A Script and IF He is Taking Hist Methadone. Sick, Diarrhea, and You Just Want to End Your Life. “

Following Changes to the Commissioning of Health Care in Police Custody in 2008, HCPS-Mainly Nurses and Paramedics Employed by Private Companies-Bocate Located, or Embedded, Within Police Custody Suites for 12-Hour Shifts. However, Due to Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Staff in Post and Difficulties Caused by HCP Staff Being on Sick, There Often Is Not An HCP Embedded in A Private Custody Suite.

This has led to hcps now being refied to lock distances beteen suites, and frequently reporting exhalation – twich incorses both compassion fatigue and an inability to retain staff. The Report Recoments That HCPS Are Properly Embedded in All Custody Suites.

Sherry Ralph, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA), Said, “ICVA Welcomes this Research and Resultant Report as an Important Publication Shining a Light Into Health Care Provision in Police Custody. Research, Specifically Pertaining to the Avalability of Health Care for Those detained in Police Custody, Reflecting Varrying Arranges Forces Being in Place, with Gaps In Coverage Leading to Sometimes Long Wait Times For See a Health Professional to Discussia Needs.

“We Are Delighted to Support Recommendation One of the Report and Look Forward to Working with the Researchers and Stakeholders to Determine Next Steps to See This Function of Police Custody Improved.”

The Research Team Are Also Calling for Custody Teams, Including HCPS, to Adopt Professional Curiosity When Listening to Detainees’ Accounts of Their Health Needs, Rather Than the Current Risk-AVERSE Approache often Leads to Skepticism and Distrust.

They also recommend that detainees with drug and alcohol dependencies be regarded by Custody Teams as vulnerable people, and that an appropriate adult is provided to assist the detained person in preparing for the police interview.

The “Equivalence in Police Custody” Report and Animation Can Be VieWed here.