In the Interim Report, Commissioner Muirhead raised the question of whether police officers were the best persons for assessing the medical needs or risk status of persons coming into police custody and whether this role might be better performed by a medically trained person such as a doctor or nurse. A number of submissions have been received supporting the medical assessment of all prisoners taken into police custody, including a submission received from the Police Federation of Australia and New Zealand. 24.3.13 Western Australia is the only State, of which I am aware, that has considered the permanent placement of medically trained personnel at police lockups to assist in the assessment of prisoners and detainees at the time of reception. 9 Plainly, the assessment of prisoners and the identification of those at risk will be greatly enhanced by such an appointment. In most other jurisdictions, medical services are provided to persons in police custody by informal arrangement with local medical practitioners, nurses and health workers or in major city watch-houses by the police surgeon.
Attendance is generally on a needs basis, at the request of police or the detainee.
Doctors employed by the organisation may be called upon to assess or treat those in custody, not only at the request of police, but also by others such as family members or solicitors. I believe that staff of Aboriginal Health Services have also called upon the organisation from time to time. The services of the doctors who are retained are not called upon to assess all those taken into custody as a routine measure. I note that one unique aspect of the Victorian operation relates to training. Every medical practitioner who is employed or retained by the organisation must take part in certain training seminars which include components on the vulnerabilities of Aboriginal people in custody, intoxicated persons and watch-house practices.