Committee publication · Correspondence · 28 January 2026 · HC 702
Correspondence to and from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, dated 16 January
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board responds to Welsh Affairs Committee queries on prison healthcare provision at HMP Cardiff. The Health Board completed a March 2025 needs assessment comparing HMP Cardiff with English prisons, identifying good practice in prisoner satisfaction and reception processes alongside gaps in long-term condition management, dental services, and cross-border data sharing. The Health Board has initiated workforce stabilisation and service improvements, whilst proposing further enhancements including Spine connectivity and standardised cross-border protocols with NHS England.
Key findings
- Health and Social Care Needs Assessment completed March 2025 shows prisoner satisfaction with healthcare higher than some comparators (94% knew how to access GP services), but identifies critical gaps: dental provision limited to emergencies, low BBV screening uptake (50–63%), and pharmacy staffing 0.6 per 100 prisoners against comparator standards.
- HMP Cardiff's remand and short-sentence population (88% stay less than six months, 30% less than one month) creates distinct health challenges: lower recorded prevalence of long-term conditions (hypertension 2.5% vs predicted 14%) but higher mental health issues, substance misuse, and homelessness (32%).
- Workforce vacancy has risen sharply from 4.25% at start of 2025 to 35.08% by December 2025 (+30.83% increase), with critical roles at very high vacancy: Assistant (100%), Technician (73.7%), Staff Nurse (49.1%); turnover across 2025 averages 23.95% WTE.
- Cross-border data sharing primarily via SystmOne; healthcare staff access English GP records through smartcards but not hospital appointments. Health Board has dedicated administrative resource to obtain missing discharge summaries and medication data from across UK partners.
- Health Board proposes improvements including transition to Spine Connected module (April 2026 target, now delayed), standardised cross-border MoU between NHS Wales and NHS England, dedicated pharmacy-led medicines reconciliation protocol, and formal links with NHS England's RECONNECT service for release pathways.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ruth Jones MP, Suzanne Rankin, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, HMP Cardiff, NHS England, NHS Wales, Tamlyn Cairns Partnership
Notable line
“… remains the principal operational risk, with several critical roles at very high vacancy in the latest month: Assistant (100%) …”
Key Quotes
“Given our shared interest in keeping prisoners in Wales healthy, and as the Chief Executive of your Health Board, I would be grateful if you could address the below queries”
“Prisoner views of healthcare were generally good, with overall satisfaction higher than some comparators. 94% knew how to access GP services, 21% rated healthcare as excellent or good, and 49% as okay”
“HMP Cardiff operates as a Category B prison. The majority of prisoners are on remand or serving short sentences, resulting in 88% staying less than six months and 30% less than one month.”
“Vacancy remains the principal operational risk, with several critical roles at very high vacancy in the latest month: Assistant (100%), Technician (73.7%), Staff Nurse”
“Wales Prisons moving towards a Spine Connected module site – like England Prisons. The delay in procurement to be monitored closely – as the April 2026 timescale is pushed back.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗