How we regulate and inspect health and social care in prisons and young offender institutions, and health care in immigration removal centres

About this consultation

This consultation formally proposed our approach to regulating and inspecting health and social care in prisons and young offender institutions (prisons for young people aged 15-21), and healthcare in immigration removal centres (holding centres for detainees awaiting decisions on their residency status or deportation following an unsuccessful application).

We took all feedback into account and published our final handbook for providers on 31 July 2015.

The main features of our joint approach with HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) includes:

• Working together to protect and promote the interests and rights of people who use health and social care services in secure settings.
• Inspections will bring together:
  • elements of HMIP’s criteria for assessing the treatment of detainees and conditions in secure settings, known as ‘Expectations’
  • Healthcare Standards for Children and Young People in Secure Settings
  • CQC’s operating model, including the five key questions we ask about services
• To gather and use the experiences of detainees, and the views of their families and those close to them about the quality of their care.
• Publishing our findings jointly with HMIP.

We will continue to learn and adapt as we test out our approach in practice.

Consultation document

Health and social care in prisons and young offender institutions,and health care in immigration removal centres: provider handbook consultation