HEALTHCARE at a prison near Rugby is still not up to scratch, an independent report has confirmed.
The quality of health care for the 620 inmates at Rye Hill HMP remains a “major concern” according to a report from the prison’s independent monitoring board.
In September last year, the monitoring board reported the prison’s health services failed a Care Quality Commission audit – a thorough inspection of medical services – and many services were failing to meet inmates’ needs.
The prison changed roles in 2014 to become a Category B sex offender prison – and with this change came a sharp rise in the number of elderly and disabled residents. Now, 40 per cent of inmates are over 50 and around a third are registered disabled.
The follow-up report from the IMB, published in July, said this was a likely factor in the continued pressure on the prison’s healthcare system.
The report highlighted how bed watches and end-of-life care was “putting pressure on the staffing of the prison on several occasions” and there was also a shortage of full-time carers for the vulnerable inmates.
Many staff were reported to have left the prison following the change in role, leaving it understaffed in key areas.
The re-inspection also highlighted that despite the progress made by a new Clinical Manager, the prison still failed to run adequate care plans and rehab services.
However, the report did put a spotlight on a decreasing number of assaults and violent incidents at the prison, and noted how many feel safe in their own cells and accommodation units.
The board’s review also noted that the prison is likely to expand in the near future – looking to increase the number of prisoner spaces by 50 per cent.
Chief Operating Officer for G4S Healthcare Emma Moore acknowledged there was still work to be done “to ensure that healthcare services meet the complex needs of Rye Hill’s prison population”.
She said: “Less than a fifth of all prisoners in Rye Hill have been registered previously with a GP, which means our team often has to start from scratch to fully understand their medical history. In the context of an older population where 22 per cent also have a disability, this can bring considerable challenges.
“We are working very closely with local partner agencies to improve provision and address the two remaining Care Quality Commission (CQC) notices.
“I am confident that the recruitment of our new clinical manager and efforts to fill the remaining vacancies will see the service further improve.”
