Prison treatment delay criticised
The Corrections Department has been advised to look at its procedures for dealing with medical emergencies after an inmate died, following a fight at an Auckland prison.
Nicholas Julian Evans, known as Nick, was allegedly injured in a fight at Auckland’s Mt Eden Corrections Facility in March 2015, but did not officially report it to staff.
Two months later he was transferred to Northland’s Ngawha Prison (NRCF), but only stayed one night before he was taken to Whanga¯rei Base Hospital with chest pains.
He died three weeks later after being put in a medically induced coma to help him with breathing problems.
A recently-released coroner’s report said Evans died of septic shock, due to pneumonia complicating a chest drain insertion for spontaneous pneumothorax – a collapsed lung.
A two-day inquest into Evans’ death found the delay in getting him to hospital for treatment was an ‘‘issue’’. The report said that on May 30, 2015, Evans was found in his cell clutching his stomach and complaining of feeling unwell.
He was taken to the prison medical centre, given tramadol and transported to Broadway Health Centre. After a brief consultation, the doctor said he should be taken to hospital ‘‘as soon as possible’’.
The report said Evans was given more pain relief before being taken back to the prison. There, plans were made involving staff and clearance papers were processed before he was taken to hospital ‘‘after some delay’’.
As Evans’ condition worsened, he was moved to intensive care on June 4, 2015, with complex breathing difficulties. He was placed on a ventilator and put into a medically induced coma.
His condition never improved and he died on June 18.
In his report, Coroner Brandt Shortland said it was accepted that the Department of Corrections had robust standard procedures for prisoners who require hospitalisation, but its ability to respond to medical events should be looked at.