Structures, processes and outcomes of health care for people detained in short-term police custody settings: A scoping review

Health care in police watch‐houses: a challenge and an opportunity

“…Unlike prisons and youth detention facilities, watch‐houses may have both children and adults of different genders, all requiring segregation. Managing such segregation during a pandemic, and where detainees may be a particular risk to themselves or others, can add extra complexities to an often already crowded and challenging environment. ▪Police staff are not health care professionals but are expected to have a role in health screening of detainees 10,19 and delivering some minor care (eg, medication administration) 19 . Many watch‐house detainees have health problems which necessitate a rapid and effective response that may include forensic medical officer, general practitioner, government medical officer or nurse consultation (via phone or in person), ambulance service call‐out, and ED transfer.…”

“…Given the duty of care owed to detainees by police, a risk mitigation approach often guides decision making for transportation. Although evidence‐based guidelines exist to inform health care delivery in prison settings, 21,22 there is limited evidence to guide health care management for detainees in police watch‐houses 10 …”

“…Health care services therefore need to plan care around criminal justice processes and outcomes that may not yet be determined (eg, bail, release, imprisonment), leading to uncertainty regarding provision of ongoing or follow‐up care. There are considerable costs of health care for watch‐house detainees. Such costs relate to in‐watch‐house health care covering health care personnel (with varying models noted in the literature), 10 medications, and general medical supplies; and police escort and guard costs for transfer to and treatment in external health care settings.…”

“…Access to health care in short term custody settings can be hampered by a range of underlying contexts, structures and processes of health care delivery 10 . Evidence predominates from the United States and United Kingdom 10 .…”

“…Access to health care in short term custody settings can be hampered by a range of underlying contexts, structures and processes of health care delivery 10 . Evidence predominates from the United States and United Kingdom 10 . To further advance reform in this neglected area, our group has been investigating strategies used at several geographically diverse police watch‐houses across Queensland.…”