What role do the NHS + PCTs play in providing healthcare in detention - 07/12/05

7 Dec 2005 : Column 1400W - Asylum Seekers
 
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role (a) the NHS and (b) primary care trusts play in providing medical and healthcare services in detention centres for asylum seekers; and how the standard of health services provided in detention centres is monitored. [31737] Caroline Flint: On site primary healthcare services in Immigration Service removal centres are the responsibility of the Home Office, and are provided under contract by the Prison Service in directly managed centres and by private providers in contracted-out centres. Detainees held at the centres will access local national health service secondary care and other services as appropriate, including accident and emergency, maternity and in-patient mental healthcare. The on-site services are subject to monitoring by on-site Home Office Contract Monitors and are included in Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' inspections of individual centres. In addition, initial discussions have taken place with the Healthcare Commission with a view to the possible registration of the private contractors who provide these services, which would bring them within the Commission's oversight and inspection programme.