Yes I understand Paul, and agree. But what are your views on the other
common reason for sample requests from police; that of the stabbing victim,
when police ask for pre-transfusion blood? In this scenario the blood sample
is used to aid identification and subsequent prosecution of the perpetrator
i.e. sampling will potentially be of benefit to your patient, the victim,
unlike in the alcohol scenario where sampling will help to prosecute your
patient! Unfortunately the new legislation did not address this particular
area, and consent is often not available because of the victim's critical
condition. I presume new legislation was not required, as one can sample
without the victim's consent on the grounds of detection of serious
arrestable offence. But should we be doing this, or should this also be left
solely to the police surgeon?
Adrian Fogarty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Howarth, Paul - RCHT" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 8:18 AM
Subject: Re: An insult to A&E
> Adrian
> I was concerned about the editorial comment, not the change in the law.
> This stated that our objective was now to aid prosecution not treat the
> patient.
> What I think is important is that the sample is done by a polive surgeon.
No
> PS, no sample
> paul
>
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