When the NHS took over medical care in jails from the Prison Medical Service in 2005, it was hoped that this would improve the medical treatment of prisoners dramatically.
However, The Guardian has recently published a harrowing story which highlights the allegedly poor medical treatment given to one prisoner.
In July, Daniel Roque Hall was sentenced to three years imprisonment for the importation of cocaine and sent to Wormwood Scrubs prison.
Hall suffers from ataxia, a rare degenerative condition that results in a lack of co-ordination of the whole body.
He has been wheelchair-bound for many years and has a life expectancy of 35-40 years. He has type 1 diabetes and a weak heart, which requires constant monitoring. He also suffers frequent spasms and therefore requires round the clock care.
Despite assurances by the governor of Wormwood Scrubs that it could provide him with adequate care, he has been in and out of hospital since he was taken to prison and ended up on life support. His family claims he has been neglected in prison.
Hall's condition has now stabilised, but he is very ill in hospital and his GP has stated that he fears for Hall’s demise, should he be sent back to prison.
The prison service has a duty of care to ensure that prisoners have access to the same level of NHS services as those in the community.
By Juliet Anderson
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