Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of healthcare provision for prisoners with neuromuscular and other progressive conditions at HMP Wormwood Scrubs; and what steps he is taking to ensure that such prisoners receive specialist care.

Whilst no specific assessment has been made, individuals with neuromuscular or progressive conditions are assessed on a case-by-case basis as there is significant variation with regard to how they may present and this is somewhat of an umbrella term.

Typically, they would be seen first by a nurse in reception and then examined by a doctor and on the basis of this initial meeting further healthcare staff may become involved. They will usually be referred to the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting where multiple healthcare professionals can converge and come up with the best and safest plan for the patient. This typically involves: a nurse doing a full assessment on how they are coping in their cell and whether extra support is needed with such tasks as washing, dressing, or grooming; the physiotherapist assessing their muscle strength and mobility; the dietician if any dietary input is needed; and the doctor if any referrals need to be made to the local hospital for secondary care input, for example, neurology, or if any medications are required.

High-risk patients who require extra support are usually either in a cell compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act or the inpatient unit where there is around-the-clock nursing support. These patients are typically reviewed regularly by healthcare regularly and any signs of deterioration they may be re-discussed in the MDT meeting to decide on any further course of action or escalation.