We carried an inspection of HMP Lewes Healthcare Department in co-ordination with the H.M Inspectorate of Prisons. It took place over a period of two days, 12 and 13 November 2012. We focussed our inspection on the nurse led primary healthcare service provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (The Trust). It was also known as a wing based or out-patient nursing service.

We spoke with 26 people who had used the healthcare services. They generally spoke positively about the attitude of nursing staff and the services they provided.

We saw nursing staff provided regular treatment people required and also responded to medical emergencies. We saw they provided information and advice to help people make decisions about treatment available to them such as immunisation.

The Trust worked with a range of other providers to ensure the healthcare needs of people were met. They included partner organisations and agencies working in the prison and hospital services in the community.

We spoke with 11 healthcare staff. They told us that they felt well supported by their colleagues and managers. They said they had opportunities to attend training courses to enhance their skills. We saw evidence that they received regular clinical supervision.

We saw that there was a system of checks and audits in place that ensured the Trust’s procedures were followed and the quality of the service people received was maintained and/or improved.