National Programme for Prisoner Healthcare
Programme Board Remit
Ministers have approved the transfer of responsibility for the healthcare of prisoners to the NHS. The legislative and operational issues that will pave the way for transfer need to be identified from the proposed models of service delivery so that appropriate steps can be taken to amend the legislation and prepare for implementation. Implementation needs to be carefully planned, supported and monitored; and post implementation there needs to be a continued evaluation of the benefits of transfer. A National Programme Board for Prisoners' Healthcare is being established to oversee the planning and implementation of this transfer, reporting to the Scottish Government.
On behalf of the Scottish Government, the National Programme Board for Prisoners' Healthcare will act as the programme management board for the planning, preparation and implementation of the transfer of prison healthcare services to NHS Boards and for the post transfer monitoring and evaluation. The Board will provide national leadership and establish an open approach involving key stakeholders in the development and delivery of the transfer. John Ross, CBE, former Chair of NHS Dumfries & Galloway has been appointed Chair of the new Board.
Pre Transfer Preparation Phase
The Board will establish appropriate project workstreams with defined outputs in, at least, the following areas, and oversee and approve their recommendations and outputs:
- Develop a National Framework and National Agreement between the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and NHS Boards within which SPS Governors and Community Health Partnerships will work to produce and implement Local Implementation Plans;
- Identify and develop the appropriate service delivery models that will apply for the NHS services;
- Identify the legislative implications of the service delivery models and with the appropriate legal advice suggest the necessary amendments to current legislation;
- Identify the financial implications and funding requirements of the programme both at local and national level;
- Identify and develop solutions to the operational, staffing and other resources implications of transfer;
- Identify and develop the governance arrangements for the transferred service; and
- Develop and implement a communications strategy and action plan.
Preparation and Implementation Phase
- Oversee and sign off the preparation of Local Implementation Plans;
- Monitor the delivery of the Local Implementation Plans; and
- Resolve any disputes or difficulties that might arise or any issues that cannot be resolved locally.
Post Implementation Phase
- Oversee the post transfer monitoring arrangements for an agreed time;
- Develop and implement an evaluation of the transfer locally and nationally; and
- Identify the national and local benefits of transfer.
The Board will also be required to provide re-assurance to Ministers that the programme is proceeding in a consistent well managed way.
Membership
Chair:
John Ross, CBE
NHS Boards:
Dr Iain Wallace, Medical Director, NHS Forth Valley
Professor Alex McMahon, Acting Director of Strategic Planning, NHS Lothian
Jack Stuart, Non-Executive Member (previously Assistant Chief Executive, NHS Grampian)
Paul Wilson, Director of AHPs, Nursing & Midwifery, NHS Lanarkshire.
Scottish Prison Service:
Dr Andrew Fraser, Director of Health & Care
Sandra Hands, Health Care Manager, HM YOI Polmont
Rona Sweeney, Director of Prisons
Users:
Martin Cawley, Chief Executive, Turning Point Scotland
Christine Johnstone, Regional Manager East, Scottish Health Council
Staff Partnerships:
Philip Coghill, Royal College of Nursing
Gordon Pike, Secretary Trade Union Side, Scottish Prison Service
Observers/Advisers:
Scottish Government
Sharon Grant, SG Criminal Justice Service
Dr Mini Mishra, Senior Medical Officer
Programme Team:
The Board will be supported in its work by a dedicated Programme Team.
Additional support including legal advice, communications and financial advice will be provided where appropriate by SG, SPS and NHS.
Duration
The Board will be expected to remain in existence for at least 3 years.
Frequency of Meetings
The Board will meet quarterly although an additional meeting may be required in the early stages. This will be determined by the Chair. Where possible, the views of Members will be sought through email correspondence in order to keep the number of meetings to a minimum.