Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 238LD: 238LD: Clause 222, page 155, line 4, at end insert— ““( ) For the avoidance of doubt, arrangements under this part apply to the provision of care services and local care services in prisons, secure training centres and young offender institutions.”” The noble Baroness said: In moving Amendment No. 238LD, I seek to see if LINks are going to operate in prisons and other penal establishments. The NHS now has responsibility for prison health. I quote from a statement made by my noble friend Lady Murphy: "““Prisons are like swamps providing the breeding grounds for the mosquitoes of disadvantage … the revolving prison gate feeds further public health problems back into localised communities. If we are serious about narrowing the health inequalities of our most disadvantaged communities, prisons are a very good place to start””.—[Official Report, 10/11/05; col. 802.]" Improving healthcare of prisoners can also have the positive effect of reducing and preventing reoffending—a key government target. Prisons have a cross-section of health issues and there is a vital need for good through-put in healthcare within prisons and good links with the communities they go out to if there are ongoing health problems. There must be suitable communication. One of the most difficult problems in prisons is the dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction. There are also sometimes other problems, such as sickle cell disease. There is a huge drug and alcohol addiction problem in prisons. It must be treated within prisons and links with the communities are needed so that rehabilitation can continue. All adult prisons now have CARATS—counselling, assessment, referral, advice and through-care services. This is certainly an improvement, but health issues within prisons need more flexibility and working in co-operation with each other. Prisoners come into prisons very often and nearly always with no health records. Communication about their health needs improvement. Health facilities within prisons, such as the building of a treatment room, take a very long time to establish as the issue is surrounded by unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy. That frustrates prison staff when they know that there is money available. The Minister has stated today that if LINks ever come into being, they will help with a wider range of needs. Will prisons and other penal establishments be included in these ranges? I beg to move.