A series of measures to deal with problems, concerning the transfer and examination of prisoners in public hospitals, the management of psychiatric cases, as well as the operation of the Forensic Service, were decided during today's inter-ministerial meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Public Order and Health, Kostas Fytiris and Neophytos Charalambidis, in the presence of the Commissioner for Legislation Sofia Cleopa Hadjikyriakou.
According to an official announcement, among other things, it was decided to create special arrangements in the A&E for the service of prisoners, to amend the legislative framework for psychiatric cases, to strengthen the Forensic Service and to gradually reopen morgues outside Nicosia.
In particular, regarding the transfer of prisoners to public hospitals, it was decided to reserve special parking spaces for the Police vehicles that transport them to the A&E departments, as well as to examine them as a matter of priority.
At the same time, the creation of appropriately designed detention facilities in hospitals is being promoted, with the aim of reducing delays and long hours of employment of Police members during the process of examining prisoners.
In relation to the incidents that fall under the Law on Psychiatric Hospitalization, it was decided to amend the relevant legislative framework, in order to simplify and make more functional the procedures for the transport, receipt and delivery of persons in need of psychiatric examination or hospitalization.
As far as the Forensic Service is concerned, it was decided to strengthen its staffing, as well as to purchase services from external partners, in order to meet the existing needs.
At the same time, the protocol of actions of the Forensic Service will be updated and modernized and will be forwarded to the Police, in order to clearly define the procedures that should be followed, as well as the cases in which the presence or assistance of a medical examiner is required.
At the meeting, instructions were also given for the reopening of morgues in other cities, with the aim of limiting the transfer of cases to Nicosia.
The process will begin with the reopening of the Limassol morgue and will gradually be followed by the reopening of other morgues, to serve non-forensic incidents. Forensic cases will continue to be processed in Nicosia.
The discussion also focused on the delays observed in the investigation of cases of medical negligence, due to difficulties in finding suitable medical officers to provide specialized scientific assistance.
To address the problem, the Ministry of Health will draw up a list of medical officers, from which the Police will be able to choose, depending on the specialty and needs of each case.
Today's meeting was attended by officials of the Ministries of Justice and Public Order and Health, OKYPY, as well as representatives of the leadership of the Police.
It was also agreed that a second inter-ministerial meeting will be held in the near future, during which progress in the implementation of the decisions taken will be evaluated and the issues that remain pending will be finalized.
