A mobile space to improve the access to healthcare for prisoners has been launched by Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
The project called seedS, created in collaboration with SAFE Innovations, is a mobile space that can be moved around HMP Leeds to allow inmates to access mental and physical healthcare in a private, safe environment. Leeds Community Healthcare Trust said that the project will address the lack of space available for healthcare in prison settings, enable more services to be offered to inmates, and improve attendance at appointments.
Dawn Jessop, head of health and justice healthcare at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘It’s very exciting that we are able to launch seedS and we hope it will be well received by our patients who have been involved in developing it. They have chosen to name this one ‘The Bubble’. While inside, patients will be able to receive physical healthcare, get advice on leading a healthier lifestyle as well as speak confidentially to mental health professionals.’
The seedS space has been designed to be easily moved and assembled around HMP Leeds. The interior meets infection control standards and contains light and sound features that allow healthcare professionals to conduct therapeutic treatment if required. The space also contains safety features which allow healthcare professionals to quickly exit the ‘seedS’ if they need to. If the pilot in HMP is successful, it is expected that the space will be rolled out to other prison settings.
Ms Jessop added: ‘We believe the mobility of seedS will mean we are able to reach more patients and address some of the issues that are preventing prisoners from accessing healthcare. If this pilot goes well, we hope to roll ‘seedS’ out in other areas where we provide healthcare to patients in the health and justice system.’