College of Policing
Police / Law Enforcement
Action Planned
The College of Policing will incorporate guidance on verbal consultation between medical practitioners and custody sergeants and will make additions to the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice providing advice on observation levels; updated guidance will be published circa summer 2015. (AI summary)
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Dear Re; Nicholas James ROWLEY (deceased) We are writing with reference to your correspondence of 15, April 2015 enclosing a section 28 report with regards Nicholas James Rowley. You sent this report to the National Police Chiefs Council, amongst others and we are hereby issuing a response on behalf of the College of Policing and DCC Nick Ephgrave, who is the National Police Lead for the Detention and Custody portfolio. We have noted your concerns and would like to take the opportunity to respond to each, as follows;
1. That consideration be given to issuing guidance that whenever a detainee is attended upon by a medical practitioner there should be verbal consultation between the medical practitioner and custody sergeant as to any issues of concern and the level of observations to be had for that detainee in addition to the medical practitioner making detailed notes on the detainees custody medical record. We feel that this represents a common sense approach, which we would suggest would ensue in the majority of circumstances, therefore we take no issue with incorporating appropriate guidance to this affect as of the interim review of the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice which is currently ongoing: We anticipate that the updated guidance will be published and available via the College website circa summer 2015. 2 That consideration be given to the provision of joint training exercises for medical practitioners, custody sergeants and custody detention officers and assistants: We suggest this represents a local training issue and whilst there are perpetual issues engaging partner agencies we would suggest a further approach to the NHS.
3. That training should provide targeted emphasis on the correct levels of observation. The College of Policing Limlted is comipany registered in England and Wales with registered number 8235199 and VAT registered number 152023949. Our registcred office is at Leamington Rojd, Ryton-on Dunsmore, COVENTRY CV8 3EN: GE Sir, part
Training standards already emphasise the importance of the correct levels of observation. Training refers to Authorised Professional Practice for further information on the levels:
4. That consideration should be given to eliminating the phrase 'continue observations at the current level' and require that doctors and custody sergeants specify the level of observation precisely. We will make additions to the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice providing this advice: We anticipate that the updated guidance will be published and available via the College website circa summer 2015.
5. 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. Authorised Professional Practice already makes reference to the risks of and alcohol consumption and withdrawal, there is separate section on drugs and alcohol denoting the significance of these issues within the custody environment: Training emphasises that where there are any concerns about an individual due to suspected or alcohol issues, the detainee should be referred to the health care professional and a medical assessment undertaken. We trust these responses meet with approval, however if you wish to discuss any item further please do not hesitate to contact uS. Yours sincerely_ Criminal Justice Liaison Manager The College of Policing Limited Is a company registered in England and Wales, with registered number 8235199 and VAT registered nurber 152023949, Our regislered office is at Leamington Road; Rylon-on Dunsmore, COVENTRY CV8 JEN: drug drug your
1. That consideration be given to issuing guidance that whenever a detainee is attended upon by a medical practitioner there should be verbal consultation between the medical practitioner and custody sergeant as to any issues of concern and the level of observations to be had for that detainee in addition to the medical practitioner making detailed notes on the detainees custody medical record. We feel that this represents a common sense approach, which we would suggest would ensue in the majority of circumstances, therefore we take no issue with incorporating appropriate guidance to this affect as of the interim review of the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice which is currently ongoing: We anticipate that the updated guidance will be published and available via the College website circa summer 2015. 2 That consideration be given to the provision of joint training exercises for medical practitioners, custody sergeants and custody detention officers and assistants: We suggest this represents a local training issue and whilst there are perpetual issues engaging partner agencies we would suggest a further approach to the NHS.
3. That training should provide targeted emphasis on the correct levels of observation. The College of Policing Limlted is comipany registered in England and Wales with registered number 8235199 and VAT registered number 152023949. Our registcred office is at Leamington Rojd, Ryton-on Dunsmore, COVENTRY CV8 3EN: GE Sir, part
Training standards already emphasise the importance of the correct levels of observation. Training refers to Authorised Professional Practice for further information on the levels:
4. That consideration should be given to eliminating the phrase 'continue observations at the current level' and require that doctors and custody sergeants specify the level of observation precisely. We will make additions to the Detention and Custody Authorised Professional Practice providing this advice: We anticipate that the updated guidance will be published and available via the College website circa summer 2015.
5. 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. Authorised Professional Practice already makes reference to the risks of and alcohol consumption and withdrawal, there is separate section on drugs and alcohol denoting the significance of these issues within the custody environment: Training emphasises that where there are any concerns about an individual due to suspected or alcohol issues, the detainee should be referred to the health care professional and a medical assessment undertaken. We trust these responses meet with approval, however if you wish to discuss any item further please do not hesitate to contact uS. Yours sincerely_ Criminal Justice Liaison Manager The College of Policing Limited Is a company registered in England and Wales, with registered number 8235199 and VAT registered nurber 152023949, Our regislered office is at Leamington Road; Rylon-on Dunsmore, COVENTRY CV8 JEN: drug drug your