Juvenile Justice Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 2008

PART 4 N.I. HEALTHCARE

Health N.I.

27.—(1) Each child shall receive appropriate medical care, both preventative and remedial, including dental, ophthalmological and mental healthcare, as well as pharmaceutical products and special diets as medically indicated.

(2) All such medical care shall, where possible, complement and incorporate as far as practicable the continuing services from the child’s own locality and the services of the community in which the centre is located.

(3) Guidance, support and advice on healthcare and personal care issues shall be provided for each child appropriate to his needs and wishes including help to counteract any addiction or dependency.

Commencement Information

I1 Rule 27 in operation at 12.11.2008, see rule 1

Duties of healthcare officer N.I.

28.—(1) A healthcare officer shall be informed about a child who is ill, who complains of illness or who demonstrates symptoms of physical or mental difficulties and shall assess the child as soon as practicable and shall make arrangements for appropriate care to be provided.

(2) A healthcare officer shall be informed immediately of any child who appears to be seriously ill and shall ensure that the child is examined by a doctor without delay.

(3) A healthcare officer shall inform the director about anything in the centre or the treatment of children detained therein which appears to him to require consideration on medical grounds.

(4) A healthcare officer may excuse a child from any activity on medical grounds.

(5) A healthcare officer shall as far as is practicable attend any incident involving physical restraint and shall medically examine a child who has been physically restrained or who has been the subject of an assault or alleged assault as soon as practicable after such an incident.

(6) A healthcare officer may consult with another member of the medical profession or a member of an associated profession at his discretion.

Commencement Information

I2 Rule 28 in operation at 12.11.2008, see rule 1

Medical examination N.I.

29.—(1) A healthcare officer shall separately examine each child upon reception, or if this is not possible, within 24 hours, and shall record the result.

(2) If a child has any medicine in his possession on reception it shall be for a healthcare officer to decide on its use, retention or disposal.

(3) If a child is found to have any infectious disease or to be in any condition which may threaten the health and well-being of himself or others, a healthcare officer shall take the necessary action for the child to receive appropriate treatment and report the matter to the director.

Commencement Information

I3 Rule 29 in operation at 12.11.2008, see rule 1

Mental health and other conditions N.I.

30.—(1) A healthcare professional with an appropriate mental health qualification shall have input into the initial and ongoing assessment of children in the centre.

(2) A healthcare officer shall report in writing to the director on the case of any child whose mental health is likely to be injuriously affected by continued detention or by any conditions of detention.

(3) The director shall send the report referred to in paragraph (2) to the Secretary of State without delay together with his own recommendations.

(4) A healthcare officer shall pay attention to a child whose mental health gives cause for concern and, where appropriate, make special arrangements which appear necessary for his wellbeing.

(5) A healthcare officer shall inform the director immediately if he suspects that a child has suicidal intentions, and the director shall take appropriate measures to safeguard the child and to inform the parent of the child.

Commencement Information

I4 Rule 30 in operation at 12.11.2008, see rule 1

Notification of incidents, illness or death N.I.

31.—(1) If a child dies, becomes seriously ill, sustains a severe injury or is removed to hospital the director shall take all reasonable steps to inform the child’s parent immediately and also any person whom the child may reasonably have asked to be informed.

(2) If a child dies the director shall immediately inform the coroner having jurisdiction, the police, the Secretary of State, and the person authorised by the Secretary of State under Article 55 of the Order.

(3) The director shall at the same time notify DHSSPS and shall carry out an interim review into the circumstances of the death in order to take any steps necessary to remove potential risk to others.

(4) A child shall be informed at the earliest appropriate time of the death or serious illness or serious injury of or to any immediate family member.

(5) The director may grant permission for a child who has been detained in a centre under a juvenile justice centre order to attend the funeral of an immediate family member or to visit an immediate family member who is seriously ill or seriously injured.

Commencement Information

I5 Rule 31 in operation at 12.11.2008, see rule 1

Pregnancy, confinement and babies N.I.

32.—(1) Where a girl is pregnant on admission arrangements shall be made to provide her with pre and post-natal care and treatment.

(2) Where a girl’s confinement is expected to take place during her period of detention, she shall, if possible, be temporarily removed from the centre to a suitable hospital for the confinement and for any period following delivery which a healthcare officer considers necessary.

(3) The Secretary of State shall be notified of any such impending confinement and may thereupon direct appropriate planning for the release of the pregnant girl under such conditions as he thinks fit.

(4) The Secretary of State may, subject to any conditions he thinks fit, permit a girl to have her baby with her in a centre and everything necessary for the baby’s maintenance, care and development shall be provided there.

Commencement Information

I6 Rule 32 in operation at 12.11.2008, see rule 1