Prison InReach Service

HMP Bronzefield was opened by Kalyx in 2004 and it is the only privately managed purpose-built prison for women in the UK. Bronzefield is a local prison, taking prisoners directly from the courts and holds a wide range of female offenders, including remand, sentenced and restricted status women. It also has a 12 bed Mother and Baby Unit, accommodating children up to 18 months old.

Prison InReach Services

Alpha Hospital Woking works in conjunction with the HMP Bronzefield to provide a comprehensive nurse-led Mental Health service. Alpha Hospitals is a unique group of hospitals providing specialist mental health services to meet the needs of the local community and our core mission is to work in partnership with the NHS to provide services that compliment those within the NHS, not compete against them.

Why Partnership Working?

Partnership working from an early stage is essential and allows all stakeholders to participate in the planning process from the service needs, building design, model of care and philosophy.

What we can provide:

Alpha Hospitals, working in conjunction with GPs and other Prison Services, provides an enhanced service offering secondary care through a comprehensive nurse led Mental Health service including: Assessment and Treatment, Liaison with the Voluntary and Statutory Sectors, Discharge Planning including CPAs, Court Reports and Reports to the Ministry of Justice for transfer to hospitals, Prison Staff Training and Support.

Our In-reach team have experience and resource to:

• Respond to increasing requests for the management of anxiety and depression
• Screen for mental illness and respond appropriately to needs
• Provide IQ tests and offer anger management techniques through Psychology expertise
• Co-ordinate with the Ministry of Justice
• Care for people with severe and enduring mental illness
• Work with and support Personality Disorder clients

The Multidisciplinary Team includes:

• Clinical Team Leader
• Senior Staff Nurse and Staff Nurses
• Consultant Psychiatrist
• Chartered Forensic Psychologist
• Trainee Psychologists
• Administration support

Interaction with Prison Staff and Healthcare Staff

Why integration is important:

Integrative working between all staff within the prison environment is essential to provide high quality care; this is particularly essential given the highly complex & unique needs of the particular patient population.

How do we Integrate?

Regular MDT Care Planning meetings and pre-release CPA meetings, as well as working within the framework of Clinical Governance, ensure collaborative working. The In-reach team works closely with GPs to agree a treatment plan. If the patient has never previously had anti-psychotic meds, the team seek the advice of the Consultant Psychiatrist who is the lead clinician and will allocate appropriately doctor appointments for patients. The transition between prison and release and or transfer to a mental health placement is often completed. The In-reach team co-ordinate on a number of levels to ensure the process runs smoothly by:

• Liaising with solicitors regarding release dates, psychiatric reports and court dates
• Offering interim Care Programme Approach Meetings, this is a temporary measure whilst in prison as this will usually be the responsibility of the CMHT. In advance of release any CPA documentation will help support the client and give the CMHT the background they need to work with the client.
• Allocating primary care coordinators and developing management and care plans
• Organising Court Reports amongst others and provide monthly patient reports and a 3 x monthly audit of patients they have seen, their MHA Section (if one) and where the client went onto if referred to hospital
• Linking with community teams and families if permission granted from the clients; also work with the chaplaincy & family liaison officer)

Successful partnerships Alpha Hospitals has forged:

Alpha Hospitals has considerable experience of partnership working nationally within the public and third sector.

• Partnership working with Surrey PCT: Adult Inpatient Services and Prison In-Reach
• Partnership working with Surrey CAMHS Partnership Trust
• Partnership Initiative with SIGN at Alpha Hospital Bury
• Partnership Initiative with Woking MIND at Alpha Hospital Woking

Key Benefits of using an Alpha Hospitals InReach Service

• Understanding of the unique environment and its limitations
• Rapid Response in a Prison Healthcare setting, e.g. enabling appointments to be made the day before between 8am and 4pm; assessments last 1-1.5hrs
• Staff with substantial forensic experience
• Support for Prison Healthcare Unit Staff
• Self Harm Reduction Programme [launch in April 2008]
• Working with CARAT team to support clients with dual diagnosis
• Flexible Team
• Responsive to needs (both client and prison)
• Support from the hospital i.e. training and advice
• Full time admin support
• Quarterly review meetings with the PCT
• Able to work quickly as there is limited time in which to offer treatment

Training

What we offer:

Training is offered by Alpha staff to all Prison staff and is tailored to institution’s needs. Alpha Hospitals is committed to its own staff development with an in-house mandatory training programme and fortnightly Academic Afternoon, where all staff are encouraged to attend courses that are relevant to their practice. This is further supported by the Practice Development Nurse and Staff Mentors. In addition, Alpha Hospitals provide presentations at Prison Meetings including MAPPA cases and Safeguarding Children

For more information on HMP Bronzfield, the Prison In-reach service or Alpha Hospital Woking, please contact:

Sarah Connolly
Alpha Hospital Woking
Redding Way
Knaphill
Woking