§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 8 April 2004, ref. 164612, on the Prison Health Service, for what purposes the joint letter was issued; and for what reap ons the decision was taken to issue the joint letter at that time. [167941]
§ Dr. LadymanThe joint letter was issued as part of a continuing programme of partnership work between the Department and the Prison Service to improve the full range of health services for prisoners. Ambulance and paramedic access had been identified as an area on which further guidance could be helpful to local services. The letter was issued to encourage the strengthening of local protocols between prisons and their local ambulance trusts and the sharing of any existing good practice.
Number of residential and nursing places in the south west region and Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, 1997 to 2001 At 31 March 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Residential places South west region 47,610 47,920 146,240 45,760 44,790 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority 15,510 15,230 115,200 15,640 15,570 Nursing places South west region 26,080 26,360 25,930 24,660 24,070 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority 11,110 11,500 11,300 10,620 10,250 1Includes estimated data. Source: RA and RH(N) form A.