NHS Norfolk plans integrated health services in prisons

16 November 2009

NHS Norfolk is currently tendering for new service providers to supply integrated health services at Norfolk prisons. The tender process, which is due to close in April 2010, will see changes and developments to health services at each of the three prisons in the NHS Norfolk area (HMP Norwich, HMP Wayland and HMP Bure).

The new service will improve the primary, community, and mental health services provided to prisoners. The specification for the prison health service was approved by NHS Norfolk’s Board of Directors over the summer.

Some of the services to be provided at the prisons as part of the new specification include:
 

• General Medical Services,
• Nursing services,
• Primary Dental services,
• Podiatry services,
• Pharmacy services,
• Integrated drug treatment services,
• Mental Health services,
• Learning Disabilities services.

Ian Ayres, NHS Norfolk’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, said: “We are aware that the health services in prisons needs to be updated and improved and when this new service starts we expect to see a big improvement in prisoners’ health care.

“Tenders have been issued to providers for prison healthcare, based on the new service specification and we plan to award the contract to the successful bidder in the spring. We expect the services to begin being brought in from July 2010, with services fully functioning by October 2010.”