The Junee correctional centre in NSW said claims that the man was not receiving proper treatment for an infected hip were ‘inaccurate’
An Indigenous prisoner in NSW has been taken to hospital after concerns were raised that the prison was not adequately managing his care for an infection in his hip.
The 37-year-old’s lawyer, Lisa De Luca, said the man had been sent to hospital after pressure from her and other advocates for authorities to treat his illness as serious.
De Luca said the man, an inmate at Junee correctional centre, 450km west of Sydney, was in a lot of pain, could not walk and had only been offered paracetamol for the infection, she said.
“He’s in a bad way, he rang me yesterday,” De Luca said.
“(The prison) are saying he saw a doctor. The GP said ‘yes you have an infection it’s in your hip replacement’. The client was in distress.”
The lawyer contacted the prison multiple times, which she alleges played down the seriousness of the infection.
De Luca said she was concerned the infection would spread without adequate medical care and she was worried it could become life-threatening.
Sometime before 1.30pm on Tuesday the man was sent to hospital.
“He said ‘I’m in agony and it’s getting worse’,” she said.
The prison, which is privately operated by the GEO Group, released a statement later on Tuesday disputing reports that that the man was not being properly cared for, saying the claims were “inaccurate”.
“GEO can confirm a 37-year-old Aboriginal man underwent a thorough medical examination at the on-site health centre yesterday (Monday 13 December) in relation to an existing, non-life-threatening medical condition,” the statement said.
“A treatment plan was established for the man, including a referral to a specialist at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital for further assessment and treatment as required.
“Junee correctional centre’s Aboriginal liaison officer has also met with the man this morning to check on his welfare and to discuss with him the plan for his ongoing health care.”
The case had prompted Greens MP David Shoebridge to write to the minister for corrections, Anthony Roberts, and the office of the inspector of custodial services to request the inmate be transferred to a public hospital for an independent review of his medical needs and emergency treatment if needed.
“I am advised this person has blood poisoning and is in need of surgery to remove his hip replacement,” the letter read.
“He is in severe pain and has a very high temperature however is being refused appropriate treatment. To date he has been offered only analgesics.”
Shoebridge said there was “an urgent need for the inspector of custodial services to use her powers and intervene so that this man gets the level of medical care he so clearly needs”.
