26 February 2020

CNWL is taking part in a study aimed at improving access to healthcare among prisoners using telemedicine.

Setting up the research study was a collaborative piece of work between prison healthcare provider CNWL, the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the prison service and University College London (UCL).

Telemedicine refers to the use of technology, including video link, to allow remote consultation for patients without the need for direct physical contact with local health services. It has been used in the USA and in Australia with evidence suggesting their effectiveness. 

Consultations will take place in the prison’s healthcare area using a monitor and camera, giving prisoners easier and speedier access to consultations with doctors over a video link.

The study's aims have been written up in BMJ Journals: Using telemedicine to improve access, cost and quality of secondary care for people in prison in England: a hybrid type 2 implementation effectiveness study