Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) prison staff and (b) prisoners who have contracted covid-19 during the outbreak have since been identified as having long covid.

Ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of staff and prisoners in England and Wales remains a top priority and a wide number of steps have been taken together with public health experts to protect everyone in prison during the current pandemic.

HMPPS do not hold information on the number of staff or prisoners identified as having ‘long covid’. Prisoners remain NHS patients and are able to access equitable healthcare to the general population, including in the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. HMPPS do not have access to individual medical records which remain medically in confidence.

Staff are also NHS patients and access healthcare services in the same way as the general population, including for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. HMPPS do not have access to staff medical records which remain medically in confidence. However, public sector prison staff who have experienced any form of sickness absence can be referred to HMPPS’ Occupational Health provider for assessment and to access additional support. This may include recommendations for workplace adjustments and a phased return to work programme to support the employee in their safe return to work and following their return.