HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 c219W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on ambulance and paramedic access to prisons; and if he will make a statement. [164612]

Dr. Ladyman

Ministers have received no representations on this issue. The Prison Service and the Department jointly issued a letter to prison governors and chief executives of National Health Service ambulance trusts on 22 March 2004 stating that agreed local protocols must be drawn up for rapid access to emergency paramedical services. Officials from the Department and the Prison Service are working together to look at providing central advice to high security prisons.