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Recommendation 136
This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW.
Recommendation
That a person found to be unconscious or not easily rousable whilst in a watch-house or cell must be immediately conveyed to a hospital, medical practitioner or a nurse. (Where quicker medical aid can be summoned to the watch-house or cell or there are reasons for believing that movement may be dangerous for the health of the detainee, such medical attendance should be sought).
Context
At the commencement of Chapter 24.1 the Royal Commission report stated that issues dealing with Police and prison custody deaths would be dealt with separately in different chapters as the issues were quite distinct. Since the time of the RCIADIC report, CSNSW has taken operational responsibility for some police/court cells. Recommendation 136 is directed at ensuring that there are protocols in place to reduce clearly preventable deaths in custody including having orders that specify that officers who find a person with an impaired state of consciousness should not leave him/her unattended, should seek medical assistance without delay.
Status: Implemented
CSNSW staff owe inmates a special duty of care.
Custodial officers must call Justice Health NSW or the NSW Ambulance Service for inmates who are seriously injured or ill and provide CPR until help arrives. Justice Health NSW is responsible for timely health interventions; if no personnel are on duty, an After Hours Nursing Manager (AHNM) can be contacted 24/7.
In medical emergencies, correctional staff must dial 000 for an ambulance and notify the AHNM.
Justice Health NSW clinical staff should arrange immediate transfer to a hospital for inmates needing emergency treatment.
Detail of implementation
CSNSW staff owe inmates a special duty of care. Custodial offices are responsible for calling Justice Health NSW or the NSW ambulance to attend to inmates who are seriously injured or ill and must provide CPR until an ambulance or JH&FMHN staff arrive to assist.
COPP 6.1 Justice Health NSW Notifications
Justice Health NSW has a responsibility to provide and facilitate timely health interventions to inmates. If there are no Justice Health NSW personnel on duty in CSNSW locations, a Justice Health NSW After Hours Nursing Manager (AHNM) can be contacted 24 hours a day. If it is a medical emergency and no Justice Health NSW staff on duty, correctional centre staff must dial 000 for an ambulance and notify the AHNM.
COPP Section 6.2 Hospitalisation of inmates
Justice Health NSW clinical staff should arrange for an inmate requiring emergency assessment, medical or surgical treatment to be transferred to the nearest appropriate general public hospital immediately.
COPP Section 13.2 Medical Emergencies
Correctional officers are responsible for calling the Justice Health NSW and or the NSW Ambulance Service to respond to inmates who are seriously injured or ill.
The Morseman tool is currently used in Surry Hills and Amber Laurel CC. It is not in use at Kariong Intake and Transit Centre (ITC).
Evidence
COPP 6.1 JH&FMHN Notifications (PDF, 541.2 KB)
COPP Section 6.2 Hospitalisation of inmates (PDF, 411.6 KB)
COPP Section 13.2 Medical Emergencies (PDF, 5.5 MB)
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