THURSDAY, 23 JULY, 2020

Prison Healthcare Team commended for improvements to service

Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership’s Prison Healthcare Service has been commended for its commitment to improvement.

Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) carried out an unannounced inspection at HMP Perth in 2018, which included an assessment on the provision of healthcare. Inspectors highlighted areas of good practice, as well as areas where improvement was required.

In today’s follow-up report, HIS commended the commitment to improvement demonstrated during the meeting and was assured there had been significant improvement made since the initial visit.

Gordon Paterson, Chief Officer for Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, which provides healthcare to the community of HMP Perth, said, “The healthcare team works hard every day to deliver person-centred, safe and effective care and I am pleased the inspectors have recognised the progress that has been made to address the recommendations of the inspection report. Perth & Kinross Integration Joint Board has also acknowledged the significant improvements made by the team.

“It is essential that we keep working with our staff and patients to improve our services to provide the right care to every patient, every time.”

Some of the progress made by HMP Perth Healthcare Team, which was highlighted in the report, includes: a review of the skills and roles within the team and substantial recruitment to new and existing posts; a robust approach to harm reduction and promoting Naloxone (medication to treat opioid overdose) to people on release; new pain management groups which were set up with Pain Association Scotland to support self-management; and improved management of patients with a blood borne virus. 

There were also multiple examples noted of joint working between the Prison Healthcare Team, the three health and social care partnerships, NHS Tayside and the Scottish Prison Service, with the joint multi-agency work undertaken to manage the COVID-19 pandemic within HMP Perth was also recognised by the inspectors.

Notes to Editors:

Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) carried out an unannounced inspection at HMP Perth from 14 to 18 May 2018. A return visit took place in November 2018 followed by a review meeting in March 2020.

The initial inspection report outlined a number of immediate actions including the time taken to administer medication to patients every morning which was addressed promptly. The inspectors highlighted some issues with record keeping and documentation standards and also identified the need to improve training and education opportunities for staff.

The inspection also highlighted a number of areas of good practice, including use of medication reviews for patients and the SMART recovery programme and drop-in cafe for people requiring support with their health issues. The inspectors commented on care being delivered by “highly motivated staff supported by community volunteers”.

The report praised the staff and the working relationship between healthcare and Scottish Prison Service staff. It also emphasised the improvement and development of pharmacy services in HMP Perth. Inspectors found the pharmacy team to be “well organised,” with a clear focus on providing a service equivalent to the service offered in the community.

Inspectors also said that all areas of the health centre, including consulting and treatment rooms were clean and in a good state of repair.

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718