I am writing in response to Jonathan Rayner’s article citing criticisms of medical provision in custody by forensic medical examiner Dr Jason Payne-James (see [2008] Gazette, 13 November, 1). I would like to put forward facts in support of the nurses working in police custody, prisons and other criminal justice services.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has supported the Home Office’s development of nursing services within custody suites for eight years and supports custody nurses in the important, innovative role they play.

The RCN currently supports the work of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) and Inspectorate of Constabularies, which have an existing undertaking to work together to inspect police custody suites as part of the UN Protocol on the Convention Against Torture.

HMIP already notes the value of the nursing contribution in the criminal justice arena. Many police forces are now employing nurses and paramedics to work alongside forensic medical examiners, with the sole aim of increasing the quality and coverage of health services offered to detainees.

Indeed, we know that nurses are at the forefront in improving and innovating patient care. In 2008, Karen Swinson won the Nursing Standard Criminal Justice Award for her work at Kent Constabulary and is now developing nursing services at the Metropolitan Police Authority. There are many excellent nursing initiatives around the country which include mental healthcare delivery, acute assessment skills, sexual assault care and treatment, together with the development of skilled forensic nurse practitioners. Contrary to Dr Payne-James’s view, nurses are well-trained specialists and deliver high-quality care day in, day out.

The RCN will maintain a strong voice for nursing in this respect, in order to improve the quality of care that those who come into contact with criminal justice services require.

Dr Peter Carter Chief Executive and General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing