By Richard Staines
1 June 2010
Health care for prisoners must be improved, particularly around times of transfer and release, according to inspectors.
The Care Quality Commission and the Prisons Inspectorate together looked at how 21 primary care trusts commission health care for prisons.
Their joint report, published on May 28, found that continuity around prisoners’ transfer and release was a particular concern – with systems described as ‘inadequate’ and ‘getting worse’.
In some cases, prisoners not registered with a GP were given copies of their medical records and expected to make their own health care arrangements on release.
CQC programme manager Alex Baylis said: ‘People in prison are often not registered with a doctor and have a high prevalence of chaotic lifestyles, which can involve – for example – substance misuse and mental health issues. Expecting them to make their own arrangements can mean they may end up without access to health care.’
PCTs were urged prioritise continuity of care at transfer and release so services for each prison join up effectively.
Drug treatment systems are also a concern, says the Commissioning health care in prisons report, which compares results of inspections over 2008/09 with 2007/08 results.
Recommendations included better clinical information gathering by PCTs, and regular clinical standard reviews, followed by action where needed.
PCTs should also show they act on complaints when commissioning and monitoring services, the report says.
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: ‘Given the coalition government’s new emphasis on mental health care and treatment for drugs and drink problems, improvements in moving people who are mentally ill and addicts away from the justice system must go hand in hand with changes set out in this report. The “rehabilitation revolution” set out by the coalition means that it must address continuity of care on transfer and release.
‘Preventing the unnecessary use of custody and diverting people into effective treatment and care in the community would help improve public health and reduce crime.’
