Prison nurses are at risk from Spice fumes, college warns

NURSES working in prisons are being hospitalised by Spice fumes, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.

The so-called “zombie drug” is so prevalent in jails that healthcare staff are each treating up to 50 prisoners a week, it claimed.

Many nurses have suffered ill-effects from breathing in fumes while helping prisoners stricken by the psychoactive substance, a form of synthetic cannabis.

Staff reported feeling too overcome to drive home, and at least one had to be rushed to hospital by ambulance after being “knocked unconscious” by the drug.

In an RCN report released today, one prison nurse said: “Walking back after attending to a patient, I’ve suddenly felt dizzy, nauseous – it’s almost like the world has zoomed out.

“If this happened in a hospital, there would be uproar and investigation after investigation. I feel like it’s being swept under the carpet. There’s not enough being done.”

The RCN is calling on Michael Spurr, head of the prisons and probation service, to do more to protect healthcare staff.

It complained that current guidance puts nurses’ safety at risk because it suggests there is a “duty” for them “to intervene to protect a prisoner in danger of immediate harm in a cell where smoke or fumes have not yet cleared”.

The RCN also wants to stop calling nurses “sister” and “matron” as it could put men off joining their ranks.

Janet Davies, RCN chief executive, said the terms were “outdated” and suggested “ward sister” should be phased out, replaced with the job title of “charge nurse”.