Services that Manage the Care Needs of Drunk - Scottish Government

2.30 The evaluation of the Canberra shelter found that in an 18-month period, a
small proportion of the individuals who arrived at the shelter were either
ineligible, or unwilling, to stay there. If the client was ineligible to stay (for
example, because they were not intoxicated), the shelter attempted to provide
them with other assistance to ensure a safe outcome for those individuals.
2.31 The evaluation of the Canberra shelter highlighted that one of the initial
problems in the implementation of the service related to a question of transport
to and from the shelter. This was resolved when the local health authority
agreed to fund taxi fares to the shelter, by the use of a system that allowed the
fares to be billed directly to the health authority. Following discharge, if the
client had no means of transport and could not afford a taxi, the Shelter paid
the fare and billed the health authority. 31
Safety and security procedures
2.32 Since one of the main aims of a sobering-up shelter is to provide a place of
safety for vulnerable people, safety procedures are clearly important.
2.33 The evaluation of the Canberra sobering-up service included a brief
background history to the establishment of the service in December 2004.
According to the report, a service had previously operated in Canberra from
1994-1996; however this service was closed following the death of a client by
overdose.
2.34 When the new service was set up, the building was extensively modified to
comply with safety and suicide prevention standards. In addition, cameras and
a video surveillance system were installed throughout the shelter (apart from
the sleeping areas and bathrooms), and these were monitored in the staff
area. During the night, clients were checked at regular intervals in compliance
with the state’s Care and Protection of Intoxicated Persons Standard 2004.
Standard 7.2 requires that:
A licensee or the manager of a licensed place shall ensure that the
following requirements relating to the care of a client are complied with:
(a) where the client is awake, the breathing and level of consciousness of
the client are observed at least every 15 minutes, for a minimum of 4
hours, following admission to a licensed place. Thereafter, the client will
be observed every 30 minutes;
(b) where the client is asleep, the breathing of the client is observed, the
level of consciousness and intoxication are assessed, and the extent to
which the client is able to respond is checked, at least every 15 minutes,
for a minimum of 4 hours, following admission to a licensed place.
Thereafter, the client will be observed every 30 minutes. 32
31 Allen-Kelly and McDonald, 2005.
32 Australian Capital Territory, Care and Protection of Intoxicated Persons Standard 2004. See:
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/di/2004-177/current/pdf/2004-177.pdf. The Standard also sets out
requirements in relation to record-keeping and staff training and qualifications.
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