The Supreme Court has today given important guidance on the detention of people with serious mental health problems.
Author: Unique-admin007
Help us End the Detention of Pregnant Women!
Two weeks ago the House of Lords voted to ban the detention of pregnant women. On Monday the amendments will be considered by the House of Commons.
The Royal College of Midwives and Medical Justice have issued a joint statement calling for an absolute ban on detaining pregnant women.
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Join Medical Justice as a Trustee?
Medical Justice is looking for people with managerial and financial experience to join the management committee.
Handcuffing and Privacy
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons has reported:
“Although we found a small number of exceptions, most detainees were handcuffed on external appointments, even though they all underwent individual risk assessments. This included some detainees assessed as low risk.
Cancelled Hospital Appointments
RT missed three external cardiologist appointments to investigate uncontrolled hypertension at different IRCs over a four-month period. Following a complaint, UKBA accepted that RT should have been put on “medical hold” and not transferred from IRC to IRC.
Mental Health Services
A legal judgement in 2014 found that S had been unlawfully detained for 3 months because of his severe mental illness. The treatment and care he received was so inadequate that it amounted to significant breach of articles 3 [inhuman and degrading treatment] of the Human Rights Act.
Poor Emergency Care
Mr A died of a heart attack. He complained of chest pains and his room-mate pressed the emergency call alarm in the room. Healthcare staff attended, but thought his symptoms were heartburn and he was told the doctor would see him next day.
Injury on Removal
Mary claimed asylum on arrival to the UK. She was detained at the airport and transported to Yarl’s Wood detention centre, where she remained for many months. She struggled to obtain the evidence she needed in detention her asylum claim was refused. Her mental health deteriorated. An attempt was made to remove her and during the attempts she was injured.
PTSD and Depression
Mr J came to the UK after having been tortured in his home country. When in the UK he suffered from PTSD and depression and attempted suicide. He claimed asylum, which was refused and he was eventually detained. Whilst in detention, Mr J frequently self-harmed and refused food and fluid.
Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre Severely Restricts Access to Independent Doctors
The right to be visited by an independent doctor is enshrined in the Detention Centre Rules. Despite this, in the last few months, Yarl’s Wood detention centre has started to severely restrict access for independent doctors.
Continue reading “Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre Severely Restricts Access to Independent Doctors”