HL Deb 31 July 1997 vol 582 c95WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether previous medical records are always supplied to the Prison Medical Service when required; and, if not, what action they are taking to ensure that records are so supplied; and

Whether records of medical care and treatment provided to prisoners in custody are regularly sent to the National Health Service when prisoners are released, and, if not, what action they are taking to ensure that records are so supplied.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Prison health care staff are not required, as a matter of routine, to obtain the previous, non-Prison Service medical records of all prisoners committed to custody. However, staff may request individual records or other medical reports from the National Health Service in cases where that is considered necessary and with the prisoner's agreement. Information about the number of such requests is not collected centrally.

Medical files raised during a prisoner's time in custody are retained by the Prison Service after the prisoner's release. Where there is a need for continuing treatment, medical information is transferred from the prison doctor to the prisoner's general practitioner. The Prison Service plans to issue a new health care standard on continuity of healthcare which will give additional advice to establishments on exchanges of information about healthcare matters between the Prison Service and other agencies.