Linking probation clients with mainstream health services
Experience in an outer London borough
Nicola Lang, Andrew Hillas, Mervyn Mensah, Sigrid Ryan, Leah Glass
Probation Journal
September 2014
http://prb.sagepub.com/content/61/3/278.abstract
Abstract
In 2011, Hounslow public health opened a dialogue with probation, asking what the obstacles were, in terms of access to healthcare. The first issue raised was a difficulty in clients registering with a GP practice. This formed the start of a robust partnership between probation, public health, the forensic mental health practitioner, GPs and community health services. The health and well-being initiatives have included GP registration, with 10 dedicated practices for probation and Drug Intervention Programme clients, in-house stop smoking support, and the start of a health trainer scheme. This work will help to reduce health inequalities in a marginalized and underserved group and also meet the goals for both public health and criminal justice agencies