- 21 41. In the light of the preceding remarks, the CPT recommends that steps be taken to ensure that: - persons detained by the police have the right of access to an independent lawyer as from the outset of their detention; - the right of access to a lawyer includes the right to contact and to be visited by him or her (in both cases under conditions guaranteeing the confidentiality of the discussions), as well as, in principle, the right of the person concerned to have the lawyer present during interrogations. d. access to a doctor 42. The CPT's delegation was informed by police officers that detained persons in need of urgent medical attention were taken to the nearest hospital facility. It was also stated that a detainee would be allowed, if he so wished, to be examined by his own doctor. As regards more particularly Athens Police Headquarters, a doctor was normally on duty to meet the needs of all occupants of the building (including, if necessary, detainees), and was assisted by a police officer with nursing training. Unfortunately, neither of these persons was available to speak with the delegation. The delegation was also told at Athens Police Headquarters that a detainee who alleged that he had been ill-treated could request to be examined by a forensic doctor, in which case he would be sent to the local forensic medical service. However, such requests were apparently extremely rare. 43. The CPT recommends that specific legal provisions be adopted on the subject of the right of persons in police custody to have access to a doctor. Those provisions should stipulate inter alia: - that a person detained by the police has the right to be examined, if he so wishes, by a doctor of his own choice (either for treatment or the drawing up of a forensic medical report), in addition to any medical examination carried out by a doctor called by the police authorities or to whom those authorities have taken the detainee; - that all medical examinations of detainees are to be conducted out of the hearing and unless the doctor concerned requests otherwise - out of the sight of police officers; - that the results of every examination, as well as any relevant statements by the detainee and the doctor's conclusions, are to be recorded in writing by the doctor and made available to the detainee and his lawyer.