Unlawful Items – Drugs, etc. The Health Board has a duty under the Misuse of Drugs Act 198511 as amended, to ensure its premises are not used for the illegal supply, use or possession of any controlled drug or illicit substance. If a patient is suspected of being in possession of illegal substances the nurse- in-charge should ask the patient to surrender the items voluntarily. For safety of staff, patients should not be confronted in a side room away from the main part of the xxxx but neither should they be confronted in the main part of the xxxx at visiting time; if they are in bed then the curtains should be drawn around to afford them some privacy. Other members of staff should be aware of the situation and be on hand to assist if required. The patient should be advised that if they have a drug problem then the appropriate help can be accessed. If possession is denied but the nurse-in-charge is sure of possession they should ask the patients permission to check their property. This should be done with another member of staff as witness. Care should be taken in case the patient becomes aggressive and to avoid needle stick injuries from hidden syringes. If the patient refuses permission to have property checked, staff should: • Inform the patient that the Health Board under the Misuse of Drugs Act does not allow the possession or use of illegal substances on hospital premises. • Consult with their Nurse/Unit Manager with reasons for suspicion and patients response. • Note in clinical file staff suspicion and advice given to the patient. • If agreed with the Nurse Manager and/or Medical staff, the police may be contacted with their suspicion that the patient possesses and/or is using suspected illegal substances. If the patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to hand the item over, the staff should remove the item and complete a disclaimer form with a note that the patient was unconscious at the time of removal. (See appendix 9). Any suspected illegal substances handed to or found by staff should be noted in the clinical file. The substance should be disposed of by flushing down the toilet in the presence of a witness and noted in the clinical file. Nursing staff should refer to the Health Board policy, Searching of Patients and their Property within Mental Health and Learning Disability Settingsxii. School nurses, presented with a similar situation, should work to local school policy, report the incident to the Community Services Manager and complete an incident report form. The n...
