HC Deb 08 September 2004 vol 424 cc1281-3W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the differences between the interventions that can be made by a general practitioner when dealing with a patient and a prison doctor when dealing with a prisoner. [187376]

Dr. Ladyman

It would not be practicable to attempt to do so. The Prison Service's standard, "Health Services for Prisoners", has as its overall objective to provide prisoners with access to the same range and quality of services as the general public receives from the national health service. The prison health team is leading and managing a programme of work to develop health services for prisoners till' t are in line with NHS practice. However, the reality of the prison environment means that it may not always be possible exactly to replicate in prisons every treatment intervention that is available in the community.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rights a prisoner has to access needle exchange schemes in prison. [187377]

Dr. Ladyman

There are no present plans to introduce needle exchange schemes in prisons, although the position is kept under review.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances a prison doctor may order(a) physical restraints and (b) detention of a prisoner in a special cell. [187378]

Dr. Ladyman

The Prison Service's standard, "Health Services for Prisoners", provides that treatment and emergency care of patients who withhold consent is to be managed in accordance with Prison Service Instruction 38/2002, "Guidance on Consent to Medical Treatment". The associated Prison Service Information and Practice Note 3/2002 sets out the requirements and procedures for dealing with prisoners when there are restraint and control implications alongside health needs.

Prison Service Order 1600, "Use of Force", states that a prisoner may be placed in a special cell only on the prior authority of the governor or controller in charge of the establishment. If he/she cannot be contacted, the decision may be taken by the officer for the time being in charge of the establishment. A prison doctor must be notified as soon as possible and must examine the prisoner as soon as practicable for any clinical contraindications.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rights a prisoner has to medical confidentiality. [187585]

Dr. Ladyman

The duty of confidentiality arising from the common law of confidentiality, professional obligations and contracts of employment owed by all healthcare professionals to their patients extends to people in prison. The Prison Service's standard, "Health Services for Prisoners", stipulates that medical information on prisoners must be managed in accordance with relevant legislation, principally the Data Protection Act 1998, and the National Health Service Code of Practice on confidentiality.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what right a homosexual prisoner has to(a) HIV tests and (b) access to condoms. [187586]

Dr. Ladyman

Prisoners have access to HIV-test counselling and where appropriate, testing in the same way as members of the public. Prison doctors have been advised that they should make condoms available to any prisoner, on application, if in their clinical judgment there is a risk of infection from HIV.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what right a prisoner has to see(a) a doctor, (b) a dentist, (c) a chiropodist, (d) a gynaecologist and (e) a specialist or surgeon. [187587]

Dr. Ladyman

The overall objective of the Prison Service's standard, "Health Services for Prisoners", is to provide prisoners with access to the same range and quality of services as the general public receives from the national health service. Establishments are required to develop needs-based health services in partnership with local primary care trusts and other NHS agencies which deliver effective, evidence-based care to individual prisoners and the prison population as a whole. Each establishment must have a clear and observed policy statement about what primary care, dental and other specialist services are available to prisoners, and who is responsible for providing them.