§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of the prison service on the availability of herbal medicines to inmates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenResponsibility for the health care of inmates of a prison service establishment is vested in the medical officer, who uses his professional knowledge and clinical judgment in deciding the treatment appropriate in each case. Inmates have a right to refuse treatment prescribed by the medical officer but they are not permitted to substitute a treatment of their own prescription unless it is a form of treatment of which the medical officer approves.