The Irish Prison Service has advised that, on foot of the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, and in line with the observations made by the former Inspector of Prisons, it has sought approval for the appointment of an Executive Clinical Lead, who is to ensure the maintenance of clinical governance in respect of healthcare provision and will lead on the oversight and management of health services across the prison estate.
When appointed, the Executive Clinical Lead will have responsibility for the management of prison healthcare services and will be central to the undertaking of a comprehensive review of those services. The Terms of Reference for this review are to be agreed by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Health once the Executive Clinical Lead is in place. This review will, amongst other things, include an examination of international best practice, an assessment of the current and future needs of the prisoner population, and an analysis of the provision and resourcing of health and personal social services currently available to the Irish prison population.