Safety recommendation
HSSIB recommends that NHS England/Department of Health and Social Care includes within its healthcare IT procurement system specification the need to support interoperability between the operational prison IT systems and any future prison healthcare IT system. This will ensure that information which does not impinge on the confidentiality requirements of either system, relevant to the safety and wellbeing of staff, patients and other prisoners, is available at the point of need
Response:
We agree with this recommendation. Work to embed interoperability requirements has already been completed and is included within the healthcare IT procurement roadmap.
Actions planned to deliver safety recommendation:
- Work in partnership with HMPPS to align priorities for interoperability with the Digital Prison System, by end 2026. Resources in place: Joint working groups; digital strategy and infrastructure teams from NHS England and HMPPS. Other dependencies identified: Dependent on HMPPS digital roadmap and NHS system capabilities. Additional comments: Alignment will support seamless data sharing and continuity of care.
- Engage suppliers (if new supplier procured) and design system specifications that reflect interoperability requirements as standard, by end 2026. Resources in place: Procurement and digital architecture teams; supplier engagement processes. Other dependencies identified: Dependent on procurement outcomes and alignment with NHS and HMPPS digital strategies. Additional comments: Specification will embed interoperability as a core requirement to support continuity of care.
- Incorporate interoperability as a contractual requirement in any future system procurement, by end 2026. Resources in place: Procurement frameworks; legal and technical advisory support. Other dependencies identified: Dependent on procurement timelines and supplier engagement outcomes. Additional comments: Will ensure interoperability is embedded from the outset to support continuity of care and data sharing.
- Deliver a modern, integrated digital system across the detained estate. Resources in place: National digital infrastructure programmes; collaboration with HMPPS and NHS stakeholders. Other dependencies identified: Dependent on funding, procurement, and interoperability alignment. Additional comments: System will support continuity of care, data sharing, and patient safety across the estate.
The long-term aspiration is to reduce duplication, improve data quality, and strengthen both operational and clinical decision-making through modern, connected digital systems.
Response received on 20 October 2026.