Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains the names and images of people who have passed
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains the names and images of people who have passed
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Unconscious people must be taken to hospital
In no case should a person be transported by police to a watch-house when that person is either unconscious or not easily roused. Such persons must be immediately taken to a hospital or medical practitioner or, if neither is available, to a nurse or other person qualified to assess their health.
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) recognised the danger associated with the detention of persons who were unconscious or not easily roused. The interim recommendation that ‘unconscious or partially rousable persons receive immediate medical attention’ was reiterated in the Final Report which noted the myriad of serious and life-threatening conditions that could cause unconsciousness: head injuries, epilepsy, diabetes, drug overdose and acute alcohol intoxication.
Based on evidence provided by relevant experts, the Commissioners were of the view that it was possible to train police to distinguish between varying levels of consciousness.