The joint report found progress had been made in embedding management and clinical governance systems and in using IT to record and analyse information on care quality. But it called for clear improvements in broader arrangements to monitor quality and to ensure care is centred on patients’ needs. Particular concerns were raised around continuity of care and prisoner transfer and release.
PCT Network director David Stout said, “We welcome the recognition in today’s report of the improvements made by PCTs to the system of care provided to those in the prison system.
“However, it is clear that more still needs to be done to build upon this progress to ensure high quality healthcare is available to those moving within and leaving the prison system. Maintaining the focus on effective communications between healthcare, prison services and social services is essential if there is to be visible improvement to care.
“PCTs must balance a number of competing demands in order to provide high quality healthcare for the whole local population and improving healthcare in prisons is one of many priorities.”