Custody Inspection Report - Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

Recommendation 1

Police Scotland should ensure that the maintenance and repair of crucial custody infrastructure is addressed swiftly to maintain operational capability as well as safety and security standards.

Recommendation 2

Police Scotland should examine the current staffing model and arrangements at Clydebank and Oban custody centres to ensure they are efficient, effective and meet the needs of the service, staff and detainees.

Recommendation 3

Police Scotland should introduce an effective quality assurance and audit process to ensure that expected custody standards are being met.

Recommendation 4

Police Scotland, supported by Glasgow City HSCP, should ensure that used sharps bins awaiting uplift are stored in line with current guidance.

Recommendation 5

Argyll and Bute HSCP must ensure effective governance systems are in place to provide oversight of healthcare delivery within Oban police custody centre.

Recommendation 6

Argyll and Bute HSCP should continue to investigate solutions to the IT and access issues affecting the use of Adastra by GPs.

Recommendation 7

Argyll and Bute HSCP should ensure that any paper patient records are stored securely so that only healthcare staff can access them.

Recommendation 8

Argyll and Bute HSCP should develop a formal induction programme for new GPs, to ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of healthcare in police custody centres.

Recommendation 9

Argyll and Bute HSCP and Police Scotland should ensure that the healthcare environment is maintained to support effective cleaning.

Recommendation 10

Argyll and Bute HSCP should comply with Health Protection Scotland’s NIPCM standard infection control precautions to ensure patient and healthcare staff safety.

Recommendation 11

Argyll and Bute HSCP should ensure systems and processes are in place to monitor infection prevention and control practices and take remedial action when areas of improvement are identified.

Recommendation 12

Argyll and Bute HSCP should implement systems and processes to support healthcare and police custody staff in managing medical emergency situations.

Recommendation 13

Argyll and Bute HSCP should review its process for sharing healthcare information on patients with custody staff.

Recommendation 14

Argyll and Bute HSCP must ensure approved processes are in place that are documented and approved through the appropriate governance routes, to support staff with the supply, storage, dispensing, and safe destruction of medicines.

Recommendation 15

Argyll and Bute HSCP should have approved processes in place to support the delivery of consistent evidence-based care including the management of patients withdrawing from alcohol or other substances.

Recommendation 16

Argyll and Bute HSCP should provide detainees with take home Naloxone kits where appropriate and in advance of release.

Recommendation 17

Argyll and Bute HSCP should offer nicotine replacement therapy to detainees who smoke to support their healthcare.

Recommendation 18

Argyll and Bute HSCP should ensure standardised risk assessments are available to all healthcare staff and these are completed consistently where required.