HMP Buckley Hall outstanding standard of healthcare

Date published: 17 October 2007

A recent glowing report has commended the outstanding standard of healthcare provided by Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT staff who are based at HMP Buckley Hall.

Taken from the Chief Inspection of Prison survey, which was carried out in April of this year, the report is the single biggest Government level inspection to be carried out on the prison and included a full health inspection.

The report makes special mention of the prison-PCT association citing that "there was evidence of excellent working relationships with the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust (HMRPCT)".

Positive health initiatives highlighted in the report include the "excellent health promotion strategy", the implementation of a "full flu pandemic programme" and the "robust approach taken to immunisation" - with immunisation against disease given particularly high priority.

Also praised were the number of regular placements available for both general and mental health student nurses as were the strong links with local university nursing departments.

Prisoners have good access to external health professions and regular clinics are held at the prison. Members of the healthcare team see prisoners in the care and separation (segregation) unit every day and if needed, prisoners can see a GP within 48 hours.

Steven Morley, Healthcare Manager for HMP Buckley Hall, said: "This report is good news and shows that the standard of health care we are providing is equivalent to that which prisoners can expect to receive in the community"

Governor Mick Regan said of the report: "This report highlights the outstanding work being done by our prison healthcare staff and PCT staff. A good relationship between the prison and the PCT is essential to providing a service that meets the health and social care needs of our prisoners and as Governor it’s pleasing for me to see the staffs’ hard work receiving proper recognition."

In general, the report summarised that "The majority of prisoners we spoke to were generally happy with their care."