Procedure - Private Medical Treatment

Purpose

To provide a mechanism by which prisoners can access the services of a private doctor or other health professional to treat or review their medical condition.

1. Accessing private medical treatment

Prisoners may have access to private medical practitioners and private medical treatment at their own expense. This will also include associated costs such as transport and corrective services officers escorting the prisoner. The number of corrective services officers required will depend on the prisoners' classification. Refer procedure - Escort of Offenders (in-confidence); appendices - Escort Staffing, Weapons and Restraint Matrix (Location) (in-confidence); Escort Staffing, Weapons and Restraint Matrix (Method QCS) (in-confidence)

.

Prisoners may apply in writing for private medical treatment by a doctor or psychologist nominated by them in accordance with Corrective Services Act 2006 (CSA) s 22.

The chief executive or delegate may give approval for a prisoner to be treated by a private medical practitioner if satisfied -

1. the prisoner is able to pay for the examination or treatment and associated costs;
2. the examination or treatment is considered necessary;
3. the doctor or psychologist nominated by the prisoner is willing and available to carry out the examination or treatment of the prisoner; and
4. the provision of the examination or treatment does not pose a risk to the good order or security of the facility

Examples -

A prisoner with a pre-existing medical condition may apply to the chief executive to be permitted to continue receiving such treatment from his or her own doctor.

Any report or recommendation provided by the nominated doctor or psychologist must be considered, however the recommendations made are not binding on the chief executive or delegate.

2. Prohibition from accessing assisted reproductive technology

Prisoners in corrective services facilities can not -

1. participate in assisted reproductive technology; or
2. apply for the chief executive's approval to participate in assisted reproductive technology.

Refer to CSA s 22(2).

3. General

Potential providers of private medical treatment should be advised of relevant departmental protocols and that variance from these protocols may place prisoners at risk, such as being stood over to obtain prescribed medication.

The transfer of information between corrective services facilities and private medical treatment providers should be facilitated to maximise continuity of care.

Where private medical treatment is necessary because the services are unavailable in the public sector, corrective services facilities should make necessary arrangements for private treatment. In these instances, the cost of such treatment must be met by the facility concerned, for example -

1. termination of a pregnancy; and
2. medical investigations (eg. x-ray, ultrasound)
   
   
   
   

F P Rockett
Director-General