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Phone diagnosis for ill prisoners | Phone diagnosis for ill prisoners |
(10 minutes later) | |
Suspected heart attack victims at a high-security jail are being diagnosed over the phone instead of in hospital. | Suspected heart attack victims at a high-security jail are being diagnosed over the phone instead of in hospital. |
Managers at Wakefield Prison, which houses some of England's most notorious criminals, say the move has improved public safety and cut costs. | |
A hand-held electrocardiogram (ECG) device sends a signal by landline to a monitoring centre, where it is shown on a screen and interpreted by clinicians. | A hand-held electrocardiogram (ECG) device sends a signal by landline to a monitoring centre, where it is shown on a screen and interpreted by clinicians. |
The results are given verbally over the phone and followed up with an email. | The results are given verbally over the phone and followed up with an email. |
People experiencing heart problems would normally receive an ECG at hospital. | People experiencing heart problems would normally receive an ECG at hospital. |
But the hand-held ECG can be used by people who are not health professionals, according to the makers, Broomwell HealthWatch. | But the hand-held ECG can be used by people who are not health professionals, according to the makers, Broomwell HealthWatch. |
Elderly inmates | Elderly inmates |
A spokesman said that the "telemedicine" device was already used on oil rigs, where remote diagnosis was essential. | A spokesman said that the "telemedicine" device was already used on oil rigs, where remote diagnosis was essential. |
Wakefield Prison, where Soham killer Ian Huntley is an inmate, has been piloting the system over the last 12 months. | |
The jail says its success has prompted interest from other prisons around the country. | |
HMP Wakefield has an above average population of elderly inmates serving life sentences and has used the device two or three times a month since introducing it a year ago. | |
Brian Almand, clinical manager at the jail said: "We recognised we had a problem with the number of elderly prisoners, which is why we took this on. | |
"By eliminating unnecessary hospital visits for ECG examination, we've not only improved public safety, but also achieved significant cost savings. | "By eliminating unnecessary hospital visits for ECG examination, we've not only improved public safety, but also achieved significant cost savings. |
"It has reduced the need for prisoner transport and prison officer escorting costs, especially on night-time call-outs, which used a lot of resources." | |
The hand-held ECG device is sold for about £300, with each telephone diagnosis costing £20. | |
A Broomwell HealthWatch spokesman said it cost the NHS £100 to perform an ECG. | A Broomwell HealthWatch spokesman said it cost the NHS £100 to perform an ECG. |
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