PANADOL - THE HEADACHE CONTINUES!

The good news is that we now have first-hand experience of a cooperative relationship with PPS; The bad news is that it lasted only marginally more than 24 hours! It turned to custard as a result of PPS National HR Manager Osie Osborne's communication to CANZ Secretary Barry Noakes, which outlined PPS's "latest" official position on the issue of medication. Before I comment on this most recent turn of events, I must congratulate Mr. Osborne on what is, in my opinion, the most eloquent display of back-pedalling since Christopher Columbus discovered that the world was, in fact, flat after all!

On a more serious note, it is my view that this response conclusively proves that PPS does not demonstrate the same level of commitment towards continuous improvement of workplace Health & Safety as that advocated in the Department of Corrections' Policy Statement. Regardless of any spin applied by Mr. Osborne, the concerns that were raised by CANZ - and are a matter of record - are as follows:

• Systems and procedures have been developed on an "ad hoc" basis and lack consistency between Regions.
• Both prescription and non-prescription medication is being issued by unqualified staff.
• The potential exists for errors of omission or commission in respect of "blister pack" medication.
• The potential exists for "blister pack" medication to be accumulated under the current system and consumed in amounts that could cause serious harm.
• Such "serious harm" may be either intentional, or the unintentional result of experimentation by the inmate.
• As a result of current PPS policy, non-prescription medication can be accumulated in exactly the same way.
• Non-prescription medication (Panadol is a prime example) can cause serious harm if taken in excessive doses or mixed with other medication.
• Corrections Officers are not qualified to assess either the medical condition of an inmate or the appropriateness of supplying Panadol or other non-prescription medications.

It is a matter of fact and record that the Departmental Health and Safety experts in attendance at that meeting echoed all of these concerns. It is my considered opinion that their views have not changed!

We have tried the easy, cooperative approach without success, so now we must do it the hard way! We are clearly in dispute with PPS in respect of the appropriateness of medication being issued by Corrections Officers and the following text is an open request for compliance:

To: Mark Byers
Chief Executive Officer
Department of Corrections
Cc. Osie Osborne
National HR Manager
Public Prisons Service

The Nature of the Problem
1. CANZ believes that the recent instruction issued by Gavin Dalziel (Acting Regional Manager Waikato/Central region) constitutes a breach of the clause of the current CEA that requires compliance with the applicable legislation, including the H&SE Act.
2. This Act places a responsibility on the employer to identify all workplace hazards and eliminate, or isolate, or minimise them as far as is practicably possible.
3. This Act also places an obligation on the employee (in this case Corrections Officer) not to take any action that has the potential to harm themselves or others.
4. Both prescription and non-prescription medication can, under certain circumstances, constitute a hazard that has the potential to cause serious harm.
5. Mr. Dalziel's instruction states: "Inmate health needs are addressed in a manner which is consistent with the standards of care available to the general public. The general public are provided with the opportunity to manage their own medication, of all forms, and if they are unable to do so they are provided with support. This is no different to what is happening in the region."
6. It is nonsense to suggest that inmates should be allowed to manage their own medication, as many of them are serving drug-related sentences, or have committed crimes whilst under the influence of drugs.
7. A member of the public is able to go from pharmacy to pharmacy purchasing non-prescription drugs. If, however, an inmate's visitor brought in a pack of Panadol and attempted to have it delivered to the inmate, it would not be allowed.
8. The reason for this is simple - there is a requirement to provide safe, secure and humane containment of inmates and this often involves protecting them against themselves.
9. The provision of medication - whether prescription or non-prescription can constitute a hazard which could result in serious harm if not carried out under the strictest controls.
10. Corrections Officers are not qualified to ensure that all practicable steps are taken in this area.
11. Inmates are able to accumulate medication (both prescription and non - prescription) under the current system.
12. The current system also creates the potential for inmates to be "stood over" by other inmates in order to gain access to some of the more potent brews contained in blister packs.
13. It is a matter of fact that in other institutions that provide medical care (hospitals are a good example), only qualified medical staff are authorised to issue medication.
14. If you are a hospital in-patient and you take your own medication with you, you will be required to declare it and it will be taken away and administered by qualified staff in the appropriate manner.

Remedy Sought
1. The issuing of medication by Corrections Officers, either prescription or non-prescription, is to cease immediately.
2. All medication is to be issued by trained medical staff following assessment.
3. Agreed systems and procedures for the issuing and consumption of medication to be developed and applied consistently on a national basis.
4. These systems must have regard for and eliminate the potential for inmates to accumulate medication.

CANZ is aware of the fact that there are those amongst the management group who recognise the very real dangers described in the "statement of the problem" above. However, the current official approach is not acceptable. Accordingly, in the event that we have not received an indication that PPS are prepared to cooperate on this matter by 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday 11 February), we will be filing an application for compliance with urgency. This document will also be forwarded to the General Manager of the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour in the form of an official complaint.

I await your earliest response.

Brian Davies
National Organiser
CANZ