§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation takes place with a local health authority when mentally ill patients are to be released from prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggPrison standing orders require that the discharge of a prisoner in need of skilled advice and attention on grounds of mental disorder should, if the prisoner consents, be notified to the district medical officer for the area in which the prisoner intends to reside.
The desirability of further developing such arrangements was included in the recommendations of a joint Home Office/Department of Health working group and accepted by the Government. The Departments are in discussion about guidance to regional and district health authorities and also with the professions on how this ought to be given effect. Revised prison department instructions and a model letter for use by prison medical officers, both presently in draft, will provide an administrative framework for NHS medical staff to be invited to visit an inmate and to discuss his case with the responsible medical officer.