Source · HSSIB Patient Safety Investigation
Healthcare provision in prisons: needs assessments and disability access
Published 2 April 2026
Published
Emergency care
Communication and decision making
Continuity of care
This is the final report that covers needs assessments and physical disability access, which were identified as patient safety risk areas during the investigation. Prison healthcare is commissioned by the NHS and delivered by a combination of NHS and private healthcare providers. Prisons have several health services that are provided to patients on-site, including dentistry, opticians and physiotherapy. They also …
Summary
3 recommendations
Safety Recommendations
R/2026/079
HM Prison and Probation Service
HSSIB recommends that HM Prison and Probation Service, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care, formalises arrangements for alerting healthcare commissioners and providers to changes in prison populations likely to impact on healthcare provision requirements. This is to ensure that healthcare commissioners and providers can plan for changes to healthcare services that are necessary to meet the changing needs of the prison population.
No response published on HSSIB's website
R/2026/080
Department of Health and Social Care
HSSIB recommends that the Department of Health and Social Care works with local authorities to redesign how the health and social care needs of prisons’ populations are assessed. This is to ensure that appropriate services are commissioned to meet the needs of people in prison and prevent possible delays in care.
No response published on HSSIB's website
R/2026/081
HM Prison and Probation Service
HSSIB recommends that HM Prison and Probation Service reviews and amends its information gathering processes for accommodation requirements for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues, to identify and mitigate risks for people whose accommodation does not meet their needs. This is to enable and support the effective identification of appropriate prison accommodation for these groups.
No response published on HSSIB's website