Baroness Visits Prison Healthcare Unit

07/04/2006

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon was in Gloucester on Friday 7 th April ( 10am), to officially open the newly refurbished healthcare unit at HMP Gloucester which has been funded by the Prison Service.

The facility was closed for refurbishment in November 2004 and reopened in January 2006, offering a more suitable environment for both patients and staff.

The unit provides an 11 bedded inpatient unit and a primary care service to over 300 prisoners.

The nurse led service provides health screening, health promotion, management of long term conditions (e.g. asthma and diabetes), mental health services and immunisation programmes.

A Cheltenham GP practice provides medical services and there is also a visiting optometrist and a mental health in-reach team which includes an occupational therapist and a psychiatrist providing a session per week as well as psychiatric nursing.

Prison Governor, David Chalmers said:

“Prison nursing is a challenging but rewarding role which involves learning new skills and addressing health needs such as mental illness, long term physical conditions and substance misuse.”

“We were delighted to welcome the Baroness to the prison to open the newly refurbished centre and to experience first hand the excellent work of health care staff who are delivering quality services in often difficult circumstances.”

Chief Executive of West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Stephen Golledge explained that there were benefits for all in improving healthcare standards in prison.

He said:

“The NHS and the Prison Service in Gloucester have developed a strong partnership and together we have an important responsibility to further improve healthcare for prisoners, tackling mental illness and as a result helping to reduce the chances of re-offending.”

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon chairs the Penal Reform Committee and is a Government Health Spokesperson in the House of Lords.

The nursing team is employed by the PCT and is led by Health Care Manager, Barry Sidaway.

In accordance with national Government policy, West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) took over responsibility for providing prison healthcare services at HMP Gloucester on April 1 st 2005 with the funding to do this transferred from the Prison Service.

The official opening of the newly refurbished health centre was attended by representatives from the Prison Service, Primary Care Trust, Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Patient Forums.