Scottish Health Bosses Confirm Increased Spending On Prisoners’ Dental Care
Health bosses from NHS Ayrshire and Arran have confirmed more money will be spent on health and dental care for prisoners at HMP Kilmarnock in order to improve standards of health.
Members of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran board revealed that near to £500,000 will be spent on prisoners’ health and dental care. The announcement comes after it was revealed that illnesses and conditions, including heart disease, mental illnesses, dental problems and substance misuse are all common among prisoners at the jail.
Changes in legislation in 2011 mean that local health boards are now responsible for the provision of health and dental care in prisons within their areas.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran said that it wanted to “ensure equity of provision with the general population” and had carried out an investigation into healthcare provision at HMP Kilmarnock.
The findings of the study were concerning and health officials raised a number of issues. Drug and substance abuse was the main issue with 80 per cent of nursing time taken up by giving out medication.
The findings indicated that other areas were being neglected because members of staff were spending too much time on dispensing medication. The trust has pledged a total of £462,000, which be spent on medical care, mental health services and dental treatment.
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