Vol. 480 No. 6
476 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the medical treatment available to a prisoner (details supplied), further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 9 July 1997; and if this person is in need of further hospitalisation. [14489/97]
It is a matter of policy that prisoners are provided with medical treatment equivalent to that available to citizens covered by the public health/general medical services. Part-time medical officers are assigned to each prison and place of detention and are responsible, in general, for the medical welfare of offenders. Medical officers are assisted by specially trained prison medical orderlies who normally possess a knowledge of nursing and first aid. Where it is not possible to provide the treatment recommended in the prison environment an offender may be escorted to and from a local hospital for outpatient treatment or may be admitted to hospital if a longer stay is required.
Depending on the individual circumstances, a decision is made in each case as to whether the prisoner is given temporary release or is kept under escort while in hospital. A prisoner admitted to hospital can only be returned to prison when discharged by the hospital. If ongoing treatment, or further hospital visits for tests etc., are required, this is arranged by the Prison Governor on the advice on the Prison Doctor acting in consultation with the external consultant.
I am satisfied that the prisoner referred to by the Deputy is receiving all appropriate medical treatment.
