Quick response from staff, nurses and ambulance for sick prison visitor

Despite the rigid routine that exists in a prison environment, no two days are ever the same for staff at Northland Region Corrections Facility, proven yesterday when Corrections Officers and prison nurses went to the aid of a sick visitor.

“Staff were supervising friends and family visiting prisoners, and were approached by a female visitor who asked to leave the visits room to use the bathroom,” says Acting Prison Manager Chris Gisler.

“Occasionally visitors will do this in an attempt to traffic drugs into the prison. This was clearly not the case yesterday, as the woman became unsteady on her feet and needed the assistance of staff to be seated in a reception area. She was suffering from chest pains and was then taken to the bathroom where she became even more unwell.”

Staff called for medical assistance from prison Health Services, who quickly had three nurses assessing the woman. An ambulance was called and the woman was taken to hospital.

“I was really pleased with the level of care provided to this visitor. Our job is primarily focused on prisoners, but events like this can and do happen in the environment we work in. The care shown by staff at visits when initially approached by the visitor was excellent, and the quick response from our nurses meant that the woman was assessed and made as comfortable as possible quickly and paramedic care arrived soon after,” says Mr Gisler.

“Working in a prison is not just about locking a prisoner in his cell and making sure he can’t get out and commit more crime. Absolutely our role is about protecting the public, and we do that through ensuring prisoner’s comply with their sentences, including encouraging them to address the causes of their offending.”

NRCF employs 15 nurses, some on a part time basis, to deliver an equivalent level of healthcare to prisoners that could be expected in the community. They dispense prisoner’s medications, run regular nursing clinics focusing on heath and wellbeing issues for men, treat injuries, and monitor ongoing heath concerns. Prisoners often come into custody with undiagnosed conditions and poor health due to not accessing regular healthcare in the community.

“Medical staff followed up on the woman’s condition with the hospital in the afternoon and informed the prisoner of his visitors wellbeing.”

ENDS

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