Please send details fo your "Behind closed doors" meeting.
Many thanks - David Robertshaw.
>>> [log in to unmask] 07/10/02 12:00pm >>>
From my experience as a POCT Manager, magistrate
sitting on a drugs advisory panel, and having HMP The
Mount as part of my "patch" I would be extremely
worried about the liability of the Trust if there is
any "insistence" on a patient to agree to any form of
drug testing as a condition of their receiving
treatment, unless the patient is under a Court order
to undergo such screening as part of a Drugs Testing
and Treatment Order (DTTO) Patient confidentiality and
informed consent is a primary concern in this case.
The more clued-up drug takers are now well aware of
ways round the system, and you may get the information
volunteered that the patient eats poppy-seed rolls
every day (will test positive) The current price for a
sample of "clean" urine in prison is £10.
For more information, I am organising a study evening
on 24th September at Watford General, from 5pm to 8pm
supper included. The title is "Behind Closed Doors"
and deals with aspects of healthcare where freedom of
choice is restricted. I have speakers from the prison
service, a secure psychiatric unit, a paediatrics
expert on Munchausen's by proxy and non-accidental
injury, and a Consultant in Elderly Care Medicine on
nutritional problems. If you would like more info
please contact me.
I have noticed that drug screening by POCT often
escapes the EQA process too, perhaps a case of the
labs thinking "out of sight, out of mind". In my own
Trust it has been hard to establish who exactly does
carry out DOA screening anyway. Perhaps you need to
liaise with Pharmacy on cut-off limits or your local
branch of ACT. The Probation service would put you in
touch with your local branch and experts from the DTTO
programme.Hope this helps.
Jan Still,
POCT Manager,
Watford General Hospital,
Watford ,
Herts. WD18 0HB
01923-217998.
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