Detainees Denied Medication and Care in Police Custody

A new report reveals that individuals held in police custody are being denied essential medications for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and mental illnesses. The study indicates that even emergency care is being withheld, allegedly as a form of punishment.

The report has prompted calls to transfer healthcare responsibilities for those in custody to the National Health Service (NHS). This shift is proposed due to concerns that the current private companies providing care are not meeting fundamental standards.

Deborah Cohen, from the charity Inquest, expressed deep concern over the findings, emphasizing the potential for severe harm and even death due to the denial of life-saving medications. She highlighted the report's exposure of inadequate healthcare standards within police custody suites.

The timing of this report coincides with the government's "Operation Safeguard," which allows for the overnight detention of individuals in police cells when prisons are overcrowded. Researchers from multiple universities conducted extensive research, including reviewing police logs and interviewing staff and detainees, to gather their findings.

The research uncovered numerous instances of detainees being denied prescribed medications for various conditions. Researchers noted a prevalent skepticism and distrust of detainees' medical histories among custody staff. The principal author of the study emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, highlighting the vulnerability of those in custody and the need for improved care.

The study also revealed inconsistencies in healthcare policies across different custody suites, creating a "postcode lottery" in terms of medication access. Some suites prohibited medications not in their original packaging, while others delayed medication administration for several hours, violating existing guidelines.

Researchers observed a lack of trust in detainees, with healthcare professionals often suspecting drug-seeking behavior. One interviewee shared a story of a patient denied methadone who, due to severe withdrawal symptoms, confessed to crimes they did not commit to be sent to prison where they could receive their medication.

A key issue identified in the report is the limited access to healthcare professionals in police stations, hindering detainees' ability to obtain necessary medical care and medication. The report suggests that the current system, where healthcare is commissioned by police forces and largely provided by private companies, may lead to cost-cutting measures.