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Prison Healthcare

In keeping with the Northern Ireland Prison Service Corporate and Business Plan 2008/11, it is stated that prisoners' access to health services must be appropriate to their needs and equivalent to those services available to the public.

Within this document it is also highlighted that the Northern Ireland Prison Service, in partnership with Health and Social Care is committed to the DHSSPS policy 'Investing for Health' and will take account of this policy in taking forward the Healthy Prisons Agenda and in the planning, provision and delivery of healthcare.

From the 1st April 2008 the delivery of Prison Healthcare in Northern Ireland has been the responsibility of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. Prison Healthcare forms part of the Adult Services Directorate of that Trust.

Within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust's Corporate Strategic Plan 2008-2011 the Trust states that it will:

  • improve the health and wellbeing of the people they serve in partnership with key stakeholders;
  • provide person centred, safe and effective care and
  • ensure best value for money

The Trust's vision is to be a leading provider of health and social care, and that it will deliver, in partnership with key stakeholders, a wide range of health and social care services that will make demonstrable improvements in the health and wellbeing of the population. In doing so, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust state that they will also constantly review their services to ensure they are modern and fit for purpose.

In relation to Prison Healthcare, a Partnership Board has been established, consisting of representatives from:

  • the Prison Service
  • the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
  • the Regional Health and Social Care Board.

This body manages the partnership arrangements between the three key stakeholders and monitors the quality and the level of healthcare services provided to the prison population against available resources. The relationship between the key parties is defined in a Partnership Agreement signed by the Director of Prison Services and the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The Partnership Board is also responsible for developing and agreeing prison healthcare policy and standards.

Within the Northern Ireland Prison Service both regional and local Clinical Governance Committees were set up in 2007 and meet regularly. The Regional NIPS Clinical Governance Committee, with representation across both healthcare and non-healthcare, now provides a forum to raise awareness of key clinical governance issues and risks through to the Prison Service Management Board and back to local establishment level in order to develop clinical and social care plans and promote safe and effective care.

Pharmacy services are currently provided to prison healthcare by an approved supplier

Healthcare services for prisoners are provided in each of the three prison establishments and also at the Laganside Court Complex.