Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Acknowledged
Quantify mental health service shortfalls and ensure equivalent prison healthcare provision
Conclusion
The NHS should use its prison mental health treatment ‘needs analysis’ to quantify shortfalls in mental health services, make plans and allocate resources so mental healthcare in prisons is at least equivalent to services outside prisons, having taken account of the specific needs of the prison population. (Paragraph 21) Commissioning prison mental healthcare services and models of care
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states the Mental Health Needs Analysis will be used to identify service gaps and inform the upcoming review of the national prison mental health service specification and mental health indicators to ensure appropriate care.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
NHS England and NHS Improvement has commissioned the Centre for Mental Health to conduct a National Mental Health Needs Analysis. This piece of work will give a good understanding of how current provision meets the mental health needs of people in prison. This in turn will provide a clear quantitative picture of current mental health need, both met and unmet, and the provision of mental health services, including the range of interventions, waiting times and skill mix. This analysis is due to be ready by the end of 2021/22. The Centre for Mental Health’s analysis follows on from the first part of its review, The Future of Prison Mental Health Care in England,1 which sets out examples of good practice and areas for improvement within the mental health pathway before custody, in prison and upon release. Findings from both parts of the Centre for Mental Health’s work will inform the review of NHS England and NHS Improvement’s prison mental health specification which is due to commence by April 2022. This will ensure any gaps in service can be identified and meaningfully tackled. Commissioning prison mental healthcare services and models of care
Read the full response on Parliament ↗