Archived: HMP Chelmsford

Updated 9 November 2022

HMP & YOI Chelmsford is a local Category B male adult and young offenders institution. The prison is located in the city of Chelmsford, England and accommodates up to 745 adult prisoners and young offenders. The prison is operated by HM Prison and Probation Service.

HRCG Medical Services Limited is the health provider at HMP & YOI Chelmsford. The provider is registered with the CQC to provide the following regulated activities at the location: Treatment of disease, disorder or injury and Diagnostic and screening procedures.

Our last joint inspection with HM Inspectorate of Prisons was in August 2022. The joint inspection report can be found at:

https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/hmp-chelmsford-3/

The last CQC inspection report can be found at:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-10054240305

Updated 9 November 2022

We carried out an announced focused follow up inspection of healthcare services provided by HCRG Medical Services Limited at HMP Chelmsford on 24 October 2022.

Following our last focused inspection on the 15 - 17 August 2022, where we found that the quality of healthcare provided by HCRG Medical Services Limited at this location required improvement. We issued a Warning Notice in relation to Regulation 12, Safe Care and Treatment and Regulation 17, Good governance, of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

The purpose of this focused inspection was to determine if the healthcare services provided were meeting the legal requirements of the Warning Notices that we issued in August 2022 and to find out if patients were receiving safe care and treatment. At this inspection we found that significant improvements had been made and the provider was now complying with all regulations.

We do not currently rate services provided in prisons.

At this inspection we found:

• Staff had assessed risks to patients and developed risk assessments in line with patient care plans.
• Medicines administration was managed well for all patients across the prison and on the enhanced care unit (ECU).
• All patients had been administered medicines in accordance with their prescription.
• Multidisciplinary meetings for patients on the enhanced care unit (ECU) were held regularly and staff had held best interest meetings for patients who lacked capacity to make decisions for themselves.
• Leaders had continued to develop positive working relationships within the service and the wider prison.