The Government is committed to an ongoing programme of work to improve the organisation and delivery of health services for prisoners. Health services in prison are commissioned by the local NHS, and delivered in partnership with the Prison Service to ensure that prisoners are given a service similar what they would receive if they were still living at home in the community.
Prison Health services are provided by a team managed by a healthcare manager. If a prisoner feels down or unwell and needs to see a member of the healthcare team they should complete an application form and give it to the nurse. They will be informed of an appointment date and time. If the prisoners' family or friends are worried about a prisoner, you can ask to talk to a member of staff to see what can be done. Healthcare teams are concerned about both the physical and mental health of prisoners.
The healthcare team will be able to deal with most health problems. Just as outside prison, it is generally up to the individual to decide whether to accept treatment recommended by the healthcare team.
If a health problem cannot be dealt with fully at the prison where the sentence is being served, a prisoner may be moved to another prison where different facilities are available. Alternatively, a specialist may be called in or a prisoner may be taken to an outside NHS hospital. If a prisoner is taken to an outside hospital, they will remain in the custody of the Prison Service.
Since April 2006, commissioning responsibility for healthcare services in prisons has been fully devolved to NHS Primary Care Trusts. For further information, please visit the Department of Health website.
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