Decision Report 201403808

Summary

Mr C complained that the prison inappropriately ignored instructions issued by the prison health centre. He said he was to be provided with a suitable chair and orthopaedic mattress because of back pain. The prison said they checked with the health centre who confirmed that there was no medical requirement for Mr C to receive the items, but he disputed that.

We checked the position with the health board responsible for the prison health centre, who initially told us the prison health centre did support Mr C's request for the chair and mattress. However, the board then told us that this was wrong. In addition, the Scottish Prison Service checked with the prison doctor, who reviewed Mr C's medical record and confirmed that he did not need to be provided with the chair or mattress. Because of that, we did not uphold Mr C's complaint.