§ Mr. GrocottTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training staff in Her Majesty's prisons receive in dealing with persons with psychiatric problems.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOpportunities are available to full-time medical officers to acquire additional psychiatric qualifications or experience by study and suitable attachments. Arrangements for medical officer training generally are to be reviewed in the light of the imminent report of an advisory working group chaired by the president of the Royal College of Physicians. Many (over 40 per cent.) full-time medical officers hold post-graduate qualifications in psychiatry.
458WA qualification in psychiatric nursing is held by some hospital officer and nurse grade staff. A substantial element of the induction training received by hospital officers is concerned with aspects of psychiatric care. Development training is also provided for both hospital officer and nurse grade staff in the form of prison service courses dealing with the principles of psychiatric care in a secure environment and opportunities exist for external studies and placements.