Chris Andrews
Question:130. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the number of nurses who work the night shift in Mountjoy Prison. [39473/24]
View answerThursday, 3 October 2024
Questions (130)
Written answers
In line with all international guidance and expectations, the core of health services in the Irish Prison Service is based on the provision of effective and responsive primary care. A fundamental component of this provision is the availability of nursing staff in all closed prisons on a 24 hour basis each day of the year. Nurses are the largest cohort of professional health providers in most healthcare settings and this is replicated in the Irish Prison Service.
People in custody have access to nurses at all times, and following an assessment Irish Prison Service Nurses commence a treatment pathway or refer individuals to the most appropriate professional colleague. Whilst specialist interventions are required in some cases, primary care nurses are often in the position to assist in the immediate symptomatic relief of a clinical presentation with swift follow up from the Prison GP or other specialist as soon as possible. The engagement pathway for addictions in the Irish Prison Service is rapid and functional and the Irish Prison Service is currently developing plans to establish an enhanced specialist clinical pathway available more rapidly in the future.
The Irish Prison Service have advised that the specific information requested by the Deputy cannot be provided for security and operational reasons.