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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of arrangements to prevent prisoners receiving medication attempting to take an overdose; [119797] (2) what guidance is given to prisons about the staffing of prison hospital wings by non hospital wing staff; [119799] (3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of medical training given to prison hospital staff. [119800] Paul Goggins :[holding answer 17 June 2003]: We intend to publish the report of a review of pharmacy services for prisoners very shortly. The national occupational standards for custodial health care set out the competencies required for the administration of medication, including in circumstances where there is a risk of self-harm. The "Toolkit for Health Care Needs Assessment in Prisons" (University of Birmingham February 2000) provided guidance for prisons and the NHS on the planning requirements for health care services for prisoners. The organisation and staffing of health care centres are matters to be determined by prison governors, in consultation with their local NHS partners. The level and mix of staff at different times of the day are decided locally, subject to the same considerations as for other areas of the prison. Within the context of the prison health reforms, specific studies were carried out on the training and other developmental needs of prison doctors, nurses and health care officers. The recommendations in these reports, which are available at: www.doh.gov.uk/ prisonhealth/ publications, have been accepted and are in the process of being implemented. A report into the circumstances surrounding the act of self-harm by a prisoner on 9 June 2003 at Woodhill prison was received by the Prison Service on 13 June. This was forwarded to Ministers on 17 June 2003, along with the Prison Service's response. I made a written ministerial statement on 19 June 2003, Official Report, column 13WS about the findings of the inquiry.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

407 c740-2W;407 c744-6W; 119797;119799;119800

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Custodial treatment Health services Drugs Medical treatments Prisoners Prisons Prescription drugs Standards Training Safety Suicide

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk