WHEN I heard the clang as the gate was closed behind me for the first time, I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. Would there be serial killers walking around all over the place? Would there be fights left, right and centre and where was the pipe I could escape through if I was mistakenly locked in a cell in true Andy Dufresne style from Shawshank.
That was 10 years ago, and I’ve now worked in six different prisons and I have to say, I find it really rewarding. There’s no doubt that it can be a challenging environment to work in – the nature of the patients you are working with dictates that, but these are quite often people with really complicated backgrounds, many abusive in nature and with a sprinkling of substance misuse thrown in to the mix in many cases.
The best thing about working in prisons or secure hospitals though is the other members of the healthcare team – GPs, dentists, general and mental health nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We all work together to deliver the best possible care to the patients, however they present.
So from a professional and financial perspective, locum work in secure environments is really worth considering.
Accessing locum sessions can be tricky. But if you are ready, willing, and able to give it a go call an agency with experience working in secure environments and they can guide you through the compliance and security requirements.
Shaun Hockey is pharmacist. He runs a medical recruitment company, Medacy. Check out his site for vacancies.
