A new partnership has been selected by NHS England South to provide healthcare services at five prisons in the south west of England.
InspireBetterHealth will deliver healthcare services at HMP Bristol, HMP Eastwood Park, HMP Leyhill, HMP Ashfield, and HMP Erlestoke.
Julia Clarke, the chief executive of Bristol Community Health, said that the aim of the partnership was to 'deliver integrated, high quality care which inspires prisoners to take ownership of their health.'This includes setting their own health goals and making positive, healthy choices over time. We believe good health helps people get "back on track" and making positive health choices encourages people to make positive choices in other areas of their life, too.'
The partnership will work collaboratively with commissioners, prison professionals and other partners to provide an integrated and high-quality service to patients.
The new model contains a number of innovations to reduce the number of separate assessments patients have as well as reducing the need for prison escorts to off-site healthcare. The partnership will also focus on the retention and recruitment of staff and will be working with local communities to rescruit across the establishments.
The InspireBetterHealth team comprises doctors, nurses, mental health and substance misuse professionals, learning disability practitioners, managers, and administrators. The partnership includes Bristol Community Health as the lead provider alongside Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Hanham Health, GP Care, Time for Teeth, Homecare Opticians, Day Lewis Pharmacy and Sirona care and health CIC.
Nikki Luffingham, director of operations and delivery at NHS England South, said: 'NHS England is pleased to be working with InspireBetterHealth across the south west following a rigorous competitive procurement process. NHS England commissions quality care equivalent to that in the community for prisoners and looks forward to working with InspireBetterHealth to ensure all services meet those requirements.'