§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that prisoners enjoy the same rights in relation to health care as the general population except that of being able to choose their doctor; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydEvery prison has a medical officer who is statutorily responsible for the health care, mental and physical, of the prisoners held therein. All medical officers are bound by the prison or young offender institution rules and by prison standing orders which inter alia require 24-hour availability of doctors for regular surgeries and emergencies and allow medical officers unfettered clinical freedom to call upon such National Health Service and other specialist out-patient and in-patient services as they consider appropriate. Such services are used extensively.
Unconvicted prisoners may be treated by a doctor or dentist of their choice in consultation with the medical officer if certain conditions are satisfied.