Healthcare

The responsibility and accountability for the provision of health care services to prisoners transferred from the SPS to the National Health Service (NHS) in November 2011. Health care services in prisons are now provided by the respective local Health Boards.  As part of this transition drug, alcohol and mental health services, and prison health management information records also transferred from SPS to the NHS.

The decision to transfer health services to NHS was taken in response to policies to reduce health inequalities and re-offending in Scotland as well as being in line with European and international standards for the healthcare of prisoners intended to ensure equity in healthcare.  Scottish Ministers approved the transfer in 2008 following a feasibility study in 2007. This was followed by the formation of a national programme board for prisoners’ healthcare in 2009 and the passing of the legislative amendments by Scottish Parliament in 2010.

The NHS is a key partner of the SPS and work together through the National Prison Care Network and other joint prisons and health structures.

The table below shows which health board has responsibility for each prison in Scotland.