To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the plans his department has to take on the provision of healthcare in prisons.

The Eastern HSS Board will commission prison healthcare services on a regional basis in 2008/09. The Regional Health and Social Care Board will assume this responsibility once it is established. The South Eastern HSC Trust will assume responsibility for the delivery of healthcare services at Magilligan, Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood from 1 April 2008. The Trust is at an advanced stage of recruiting a new Assistant Director to lead on prison healthcare issues. There have been a series of meetings between the Trust, EHSSB and NI Prison Service to finalise arrangements for the transfer.

My Department is currently involved in negotiations with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Eastern HSS Board and NI Prison Service over a draft Partnership Agreement on prison healthcare services. This document will set out the roles and responsibilities of the respective partners in this service.