 |
answer text |
<p>Information relating to births and pregnancy is recorded locally, and is not collected
centrally. Work is currently underway to look at what information related to pregnancy
and birth can be collected centrally.</p><p> </p><p>Births in prison are extremely
rare. Every effort is made to ensure women are in the appropriate hospital setting
in order to give birth, however this is not always possible due to the unpredictability
of labour.</p><p> </p><p>All pregnant women in custody have an individual care and
management plan that is communicated to all staff and all pregnant women are seen
by a mid-wife at least fortnightly or as required. Women can expect to have access
to the same range of services as they would in the community. Healthcare in prisons
is provided by trained medics and nurses, but we have also made training on dealing
with pregnant women available to all prison officers.</p><p> </p><p>A Prison Service
Instruction sets out the current policy on Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), and the Policy
Guidance adjoining the Women’s Policy Framework 2018 contains comprehensive operational
guidance on perinatal support to women in custody. A review of the MBU policy is currently
underway.</p>
|
|
