§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prisoners in United Kingdom prisons are (a) insulin-dependent and (b) non-insulin dependent diabetics; and [HL1949]
(a) What percentage of insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent prisoners are permitted to monitor their own blood sugar levels; and (b) what percentage of insulin-dependent prisoners are permitted to keep their insulin-dependent delivery systems with them; and [HL1950]
What percentage of insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent prisoners have (a) had regular access to a diabetes specialist in the last 12 months; and (b) are provided with a regular and appropriate diet for their diabetic condition. [HL1951]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe detailed information requested about diabetic prisoners in England and Wales is not routinely collected centrally (and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost). The care and treatment of individual prisoners by prison doctors are undertaken in line with the National Health Service (NHS) practice. Prisons, and their local health authorities, are currently completing joint assessments of the health needs of prisoners, identifying appropriate services to meet them and effective ways 177WA of delivery. The aim of the needs assessment process is to ensure that prisoners have access to the same range and quality of services that the general public receive from the NHS. Services for diabetics have been included in the assessment process.
In Northern Ireland eight insulin-dependent and eight non-insulin dependent diabetics are currently in prison custody. Adult prisoners are allowed to monitor their own blood sugar levels but inmates in the young offenders centre are not permitted to do so. Four prisoners are allowed to keep pen delivery systems. Ten (63 per cent) of the 16 diabetic prisoners have had access to a diabetes specialist in the last 12 months. All prisoners receive a regular and appropriate diet for their condition. In one prison prisoners have access to a dietician who specialises in diabetes.
Health care services in Scottish prisons are matters for the devolved administration.
§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the findings of the study of the management of diabetes in French prisons published in 2001 Diabetes UK, Diabetic Medicine.18, will result in any changes in the way in which diabetic prisoners are treated within the United Kingdom prison service. [HL1952]
Lord Bassarn of BrightonThe England and Wales Prison Service will ensure that the provisions of the National Service Framework for Diabetes, which will be published later this year for implementation in 2002, are applied, as appropriate, in the prison setting. In doing so it will take into account the findings of the recently published study of the management of diabetes in French prisons.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service keeps in regular touch with developments in healthcare treatments in the England and Wales prison system and this includes the treatment of prisoners with diabetes.
Healthcare services in Scottish prisons are matters for the devolved administration.