Things you can do if the person you are visiting is on hunger strike and/or refusing water¶

Ask detainee what it would take for them to stop the hunger strike
You might choose to explain that the hunger strike might not get them what they want (i.e. UKBA don’t care)
Explain that they will get weaker as the hunger strike goes on and it will be harder for them to make decisions

Look at Medical Justice’s guidelines doc on hunger strike
Send info from Page 33 (Appendix 1) of the above guidelines to the detainee or talk them through with detainee
Contact Medical Justice if you need more help
Detainee should be allowed visitors even in this situation

Can MHDVG pay for friend to visit – if this is something that would help the detainee, contact the group (email list/come to meeting)

Must get consent before doing any of the following
Refer to medical justice
Liaise with healthcare – check if blood tests carried out, if they can make medical notes ready for Medical Justice
Notify Independent Monitoring Board

Looking after yourself¶

Get support from others in the group, let people know if you want help. You don’t have to do everything by yourself.
Check with the detainee if they are happy for someone else to keep in touch with them too so you don’t feel like you’re the only one responsible for supporting them