§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the numbers of women doctors, nurses and gynaecologists employed in women's prisons. [54216]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe overwhelming majority of nurses employed in women's prisons are female. The number of women doctors employed in women's prisons can vary due to the use of external general practitioners and other locum doctors. The most recent available figures show that 10 out of 31 doctors employed in women's or mixed prisons were female.
Women prisoners who wish to see a female doctor or nurse have their wishes met wherever possible. A Women's Health Care Standard is being developed, which will include a requirement for protocols, to be agreed locally, for women prisoners who wish to consult female doctors or nurses to have their wishes respected.