RNs trial a forensic nursing service.
This paper describes a trial forensic nursing service that was implemented by two registered nurses in Melbourne police districts. The principal aim of the program was to reduce the workload of forensic medical officers by providing a 7 pm to 7 am referral and primary care nursing service for people held in police custody in the City Watch House and in 21 suburban watch houses. During the first three months of the six month trial, 747 detainees were referred to the nursing service for assessment and/or treatment and there was a 73% decrease in the night time call-outs of forensic medical officers. The service reduced overnight delays in responding to detainees' health needs and in referral of sick detainees to prison or civilian health services and it improved the exchange of information between health services outside and within the jail. As a result of the pilot, an ongoing nursing service for detainees in Melbourne watch houses has been established.
Evans
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Melbourne Custody Centre, Victoria.
McGilvray
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L
D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009551:Night Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011329:Prisoners; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration