Decision Report 201301739

Summary

Mr C, who is a prisoner, attended an out-patient appointment for a minor operation. He complained that afterwards the prison health centre did not prescribe him a pain killer at the dosage recommended by the hospital. In responding to his complaint, the board advised Mr C that there were risks when prescribing a high dosage of the pain killer alongside medication that he was taking for opiate addiction. However, when Mr C reduced the amount of that medication, the prison health centre agreed to increase the dosage of his pain medication. We did not uphold Mr C's complaint because after reviewing his medical records and seeking independent advice from one of our medical advisers, we were satisfied that the clinical care provided was reasonable and appropriate.

In addition, Mr C complained that the prison health centre would not prescribe him an alternative medication for his opiate addiction. The board told Mr C that his addictions nurse had agreed to speak with his community addictions worker to see whether they would be willing to set him up on the alternative medication after his release from prison. Our adviser said she felt it was reasonable for the prison health centre not to change Mr C's medication when he was being released from prison soon. In light of that, we were satisfied the prison health centre's position was reasonable.