Healthcare services for inmates have shown measurable progress during the most recent inspection at HMP Peterborough. The Care Quality Commission had previously identified significant shortcomings but has now confirmed that the service is no longer in breach of regulations.
In 2024, inspectors found the service run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust did not have an effective system for monitoring missed medication. They also concluded that parts of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 had not been met. An action plan was requested to address these concerns, forming the baseline for the HMP Peterborough healthcare improvements noted this year.
The latest inspection in November examined whether the service was safe, effective and well led. Inspectors reported clearer processes for identifying and managing risks. They also confirmed that checks for prisoners detoxing from drugs and alcohol were now aligned with national guidance. With funding approved for additional mental health staff, capacity has been strengthened, marking a significant part of the HMP Peterborough healthcare improvements.
HMP Peterborough is a Category B prison run by Sodexo and is the only site in England that accommodates both men and women, though they remain separated. The prison currently houses about 360 women and 944 men, providing important context for the HMP Peterborough healthcare improvements recorded in the latest report.
Plans to expand the pharmacy across other sites were also highlighted, offering advantages such as shared staff resources. The watchdog noted strong cooperation between healthcare staff and prison officers, including a proactive response to a recent rise in overdose emergencies. As part of this work, 336 officers were trained to use Naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid overdoses, and supplies were placed on every wing. These measures form another key element of the HMP Peterborough healthcare improvements.
The inspection also found that a revised referral and triage system now gives better oversight of patients awaiting a mental health assessment. Records clearly showed when medicines were administered, and follow ups for missed doses had improved. Together, these changes demonstrate substantial progress compared with earlier findings.
HMP Peterborough and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust were contacted for comment. Overall, the HMP Peterborough healthcare improvements outlined by inspectors indicate a marked shift from previous concerns, reflecting targeted work to enhance safety and clinical practice within the prison.
