NHS tells GPs ‘prioritise’ lags let out early under Labour’s prisoner release scheme over other patients in new guidance
GPs have been told to “prioritise” patients who are released under the Government’s early prison release scheme.
Practices across the country have been given guidance on how to cope with the influx of inmates who will be released into the community on September 10.
Thousands of prisoners are due to be released next week as part of a policy designed to tackle overcrowding in UK jails.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has estimated that around 5,500 offenders will be included in the scheme which means criminals, including some violent offenders, only serve 40 per cent of their sentences behind bars.
The Ministry of Justice has admitted this week that some serious offenders will be released as part of the policy, despite previously saying they were not eligible.
NHS England has this week written to GPs, community pharmacies and care board directors across the country to ensure they are “ready to support individuals being released early from prison”.
The letter, written by Kate Davies CBE, National Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Referral Centres, NHS England and Alex Morton, Group Director – Primary Care and Community Services Delivery and Support, NHS England, explains how GPs are being urged to prioritise the prisoner cases.
It reads: “We encourage practices to prioritise new patient assessments for those released under the early prison release scheme.
“Practices are advised to consider the patient’s past medical history, including mental health, drug, alcohol and substance misuse needs, which may require further consideration to ensure immediate continuity of care.
“As part of pre-release processes, prison medical centres will have provided a discharge summary of any ongoing care needs.”
Doctors and medical staff are told that when registering new patients they should be mindful that it is not necessary for them to have a home address, proof of ID or an NHS number.
The letter concludes: “Thank you for your continued support. Our priority is to ensure continuity of care and the effective management of long-term conditions for early prison leavers.
“At a time of great uncertainty for many of these men and women, who are our patients both in prison and in the community, the ongoing provision of care and treatment is a crucial element in supporting their rehabilitation, reducing health inequalities and minimising the risk of reoffending.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS is well placed to support the ongoing health and care needs of people being released into the community as part of a Ministry of Justice measure, this includes help registering with a GP.
“This should not directly impact anyone’s ability to receive care from their family doctor and we encourage people to continue to come forward for care in the usual way.”
The early release scheme was criticised by the president of the Prison Governors’ Association earlier this week who said it is doomed to fail as cells are quickly being filled up with rioters.
By the end of August there were believed to have been only 100 places left in the men’s prison estate.
Tom Wheatley said the Justice Secretary “will be lucky to get 12 months before we are full again” after the recent far-right disorder.
He added: “We remain concerned about the effect of the large number of prisoners released on the probation caseload. Government is going to have to consider other changes to either reduce the prison population or properly fund HM Prison and Probation Service to enable them to deal with it.”