Wayne Broad
17 Jan 2014 · Coroner Andrew Walker · London (North)
A similar concern from this report was raised again 1 time later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of dedicated substance misuse team in police custody
“That was no dedicated substance misuse team available to look after Mr [name redacted] when he was in the custody suite at Hatfield Police Station, as there would have been had Mr [name redacted] been detained in prison”
2. lack of specialised nursing staff for substance misuse patients
“Specially trained nursing staff should be available at hospitals for dealing with patients with substance misuse”
3. inadequate risk assessment for seriously ill detainees
“Police are required to make risk assessments and have requirements when dealing with the handcuffing of seriously ill detainees”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.85 · high
This report
“That was no dedicated substance misuse team available to look after Mr [name redacted] when he was in the custody suite at Hatfield Police Station, as there would have been had Mr [name redacted] been detained in prison”
Later report
“That training should include targeted training on the risks and dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, including methadone intoxication and alcohol withdrawal, particularly if the detainee is likely to be in custody for upwards of 24 hours.”
Responses
2014-0020R2_Redacted.pdf ↗· G4S Forensic and Medical Services Ltd
Stated action
“G4S Forensic and Medical Service are responsible for the provision of medical services to Hertfordshire Police as defined in a specific contract written by Hertfordshire Police ("the Contract"), which does not at this time, provide for putting a dedicated substance misuse team into each of the police stations served by the Contract”
2014-0020R3_Redacted.pdf ↗· G4S Forensic and Medical Services Ltd
Stated action
“We do however take our duty of care for the welfare of detainees very seriously and provide medical care in custody which effectively triages our detainees to assess that they are fit to be detained and are kept safe.”
2014-0020-Response.pdf ↗· G4S Forensic and Medical Services Ltd
Stated action
“The responsibility for healthcare in police custody suites will however soon transfer from individual police authorities to NHS England. Healthcare for persons in police custody will therefore be commissioned to NHS standards of care. This should lead to more consistent and improved healthcare standards, by ensuring that the same range and quality of substance misuse services are available to persons in police custody as would be available in prison or community settings.”