Who in the NHS is responsible for healthcare in prisons?
In England, it is provided by NHS Health and Justice (HJ) in England – and is run separately from the ‘main NHS’.
NHS HJ is responsible for commissioning (buying) healthcare in prisons, secure facilities for children and young people, police and court ‘Liaison and Diversion (L&D)’ services, and immigration removal centres – as well as cases of sexual abuse/assault. NHSE HJ teams aim to provide an equal level of service to that offered to the rest of the population.
But, unfortunately, prisoners get poor, disjointed healthcare, partly as they are often moved around the country; and partly as it is difficult undertaking investigations or following them up. This is because prison authorities are reluctant to give prisoners planned appointments, which tell the prisoner where they will be and when, as they fear they will abscond.
NHSE HJ tries to establish links with ICSs and local authorities, to support the delivery of care within secure settings, and continuity of care as individuals move about.
HJ services are commissioned (bought) via 10 NHSE HJ teams across 4 regions (North, Midlands, London and South). These are not the same as the 7 NHSE Regions for the rest of the NHS in England. There are separate health and justice systems for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
