B.06 Prisoner Health Services

Authority for Policy

• Medicines Act 1981
• Misuse Of Drugs Act 1975
• Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977, Regulation 28, Parts V & VI
• Health Act 1956
• Health and Disabilities Services Eligibility Direction 1994 Schedule 1 clause 15
• Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations 1966
• Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996
• Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
• Corrections Regulations 2005, Regulations 8 and 71-81
• Corrections Act 2004, Sections 20, 49 and 75
• Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001

Policy Standard

• Prisoner health needs are addressed in a manner which is consistent with the standards of care available to the general public

Performance Standards

1. All remands and newly sentenced prisoners are screened by a health professional within 4 hours of reception and receive a full health assessment within 24 hours of reception.
2. Prisoners will receive the Reception Health Screen by a health professional when:
   1. they have been transferred from another prison.
   2. it is their first reception as a remand prisoner.
   3. it is their first reception as a sentenced prisoner.
3. A prisoner on transfer who has been fully assessed has a further reception screen at the new location.
4. Prisoner access to health services is comparable to that available in the general community.
5. Individual treatment plans are prepared, implemented, monitored and reviewed for each prisoner requiring physical or mental health care of a significant and /or complex health needs.
6. Prisoners are referred to an external health provider where required treatment or services are not available within the prison or are more appropriately provided by others.
7. Treatment and care reflects the cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs of the prisoner.
8. A medical officer, registered dentist and a registered nurse are available at all times for emergency assessment, treatment or referral.
9. Nursing, medical and dental practices and services conform to professional codes of ethics and practice.
10. All health staff / prisoner contacts are recorded in the prisoner's health file.
11. Health records are stored in a secure place within the health centre.
12. Health records are retained and not destroyed.
13. lnformed consent is obtained from the prisoner for all health care and for the sharing of personal information with others involved in the prisoner's care.
14. Refusal of treatment is documented and the prisoner advised of the significance to their health of refusal.
15. A secure system for the collection or delivery of pharmaceutical supplies is established at each prison.
16. Prescribing, storing and administering medications meets legal requirements.
17. Each prison has a documented procedure for the distribution of medications which meets legal requirements.
18. Intravenous infusions are not administered, except in an emergency, unless a prison has an in-patient facility and 24 hour nursing cover.
19. Terminally ill prisoners are provided with the care and treatment necessary to maintain their dignity and necessary comfort.
20. A doctor of the same gender as the prisoner is available at his / her request whenever possible.
21. Diagnostic testing is undertaken by health services staff only for clinically appropriate reasons, or in accordance with legislation.
22. Health Services staff make it explicitly clear to external health providers that they reply directly to the health services staff to confirm any appointments.
23. If a prisoner wishes to obtain treatment by a health service provider, but a medical officer or a staff member who is a nurse does not consider that a referral under reg 77(1) is justified, the prisoner may obtain the treatment if:
    1. The Prison Manager is satisfied that the treatment can be obtained in a manner that meets the security requirements of the prison for the prisoner; and
    2. The prisoner pays for the cost of the treatment, and the cost of facilitating his or her attendance to obtain the treatment.
24. Relevant aspects of a prisoner's health needs are incorporated in the Sentence Plan.
25. An injury to a prisoner which the medical officer or a staff member who is a nurse considers may continue to affect the prisoner after release from prison is registered as a claim with the Accident Compensation Corporation.
26. Prison health services comply with standards set by the public health authorities, and relevant legislation.
27. Where necessary prisoners are provided with support and counselling to assist them manage their health problem.

Dental Care

1. The dentist's practice hours are adequate to meet the prescribed minimum dental services for each prisoner.
2. A prisoner's dental needs are initially assessed by the medical officer / nurse, and the prisoner referred to the dentist for treatment where required.
3. A prisoner's dental care is incorporated in his / her overall health care plan.
4. A dental record, including x-rays, is maintained within the prisoner's general health file.
5. Equipment is provided and maintained to the standard required to ensure the prescribed minimum dental services are achieved.
6. Selected nursing staff are trained and approved by the dentist to undertake dental first aid procedures.
7. The cost of dental treatment not covered by the minimum dental service requirements is met by the prisoner.
8. Where necessary prostheses and aids to daily living required by a prisoner are made available.