W.04.03 Prisoner self-administration of medication

Self-administration of medication is a health process which is approved by health staff and managed according to the health [Self-Administration of Medication] procedure. This procedure is for prisoners with a demonstrated ability to self-manage chronic conditions, who are a low security risk and/or nearing the end of their prison term.

This enables prisoners to take an active role in their healthcare and be responsible for taking their own medication prescribed for their medical condition, instead of receiving it via the daily medication rounds.

It is important to note that not all prisoners will be able to self-administer their medication, and not all medications are included in this process.

W.04.03.01 Overview of health staff role

1. The Health Centre Manager (HCM) or delegated Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for ensuring that self-administration of medication by prisoners is planned and supervised to minimise the risk of harm to the person or any other person.
2. Health staff manage the self-administration of medication process and are responsible for:
   1. Identifying candidates.
   2. Completing risk assessments to determine a prisoner’s suitability for self-administration of medication.
   3. Providing guidance for prisoners that are assessed as suitable.
   4. Undertaking monitoring and regular reviews of prisoners who are self-administering their medication.
3. Health staff will enter into IOMS the appropriate alerts to ensure custody are aware of prisoners who:
   1. will be holding medication according to this procedure, and
   2. the amount of medication they can hold.

W.04.03.02 Role of custodial staff

1. Custodial staff contribute to the health risk assessment process for self-administration of medication and are able to:
   1. report any concerns regarding potential for stand over behaviours, medication diversion and risks to the cell mate or others in the unit.
   2. consider situations when cell mates may be holding larger volumes of medication at any one time.
2. To mitigate risks associated with the self-administration process in the prison, unit staff conduct business as usual activities of:
   1. supporting the timely administration of medication via medication rounds whilst ensuring the safety of all concerned.
   2. cell checks (daily).
   3. cell and facility searches (as required).
   4. prisoner searches (as required or on reasonable grounds).
   5. observations of prisoners undertaken in the unit.
3. Any concerns regarding self-administration of medication raised by staff who have conducted these activities are to be escalated (refer [W.04.03 Escalation process] below).
4. The general manager custodial is responsible for implementing a site plan for cell searches.
5. Custodial staff immediately advise health staff when a prisoner who is self-administering medication in their unit, is scheduled for transfer to another prison.

W.04.03.03 Escalation process

1. If custodial staff have concerns regarding any aspect of the self-administration process these are to be reported as soon as possible to a principal custodial officer (PCO) for escalation or escalated directly to a member of the health team.