NHS Forth Valley’s healthcare services at HMP Glenochil have been praised in a comprehensive inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), achieving ‘Good’ ratings across a record number of quality indicators.

This marks the first time a prison healthcare team in Forth Valley has received the top rating of ‘Good’ for health and wellbeing services and support, and is the only prison healthcare team in Scotland with a current rating of good.

The inspection highlighted strong performance in admission health screening, health improvement and prevention, long-term conditions, substance use treatment, palliative care, infection control, leadership, governance and ethical practice. Inspectors repeatedly described systems as robust, person-centred and aligned with community standards.

The prison’s admission health screening process was rated ‘Good’, with inspectors praising the robust procedures in place to ensure every person entering custody receives a confidential mental and physical health assessment. Standardised screening allows staff to quickly identify immediate health needs, and those at risk of self-harm are supported through the Talk to Me protocol. Within 72 hours of arrival, all individuals receive a comprehensive follow-up assessment from a registered nurse.

Strong performance also continued in health improvement and prevention, while the inspection found that staff across all healthcare disciplines showed a strong understanding of the health inequalities affecting people in custody. Interactions between staff and patients were described as consistently supportive, with high levels of compliance in mandatory training.

The inspection commended staff for their trauma-informed practice, with staff accessing training that deepened their understanding of the barriers, stigma and deprivation many individuals have experienced prior to custody.

Care for people with long-term conditions was rated ‘Good’, with early identification on arrival, a dedicated long-term conditions nurse, nurse-led specialist clinics and strong links with secondary care. Patients were actively involved in planning their care and received copies of their treatment plans.

Support for individuals dependent on drugs or alcohol was also rated ‘Good’, with clear pathways from first contact through to ongoing treatment. The Substance Recovery Team provided patient-centred care and people leaving custody received well-coordinated handovers to community services.

Palliative and end-of-life care received a ‘Good’ rating, with strong links to Strathcarron Hospice and comprehensive use of tools such as anticipatory care plans and the ReSPECT process guiding person-centred clinical decision making.

Infection prevention and control standards were also rated ‘Good’, with clean, well-maintained clinical areas, strong audit processes and high compliance with standard precautions.

Inspectors praised the healthcare leadership team for its clear structure, visibility and proactive approach, creating a positive culture of communication and staff support. All staff received comprehensive induction and regular supervision, and a patient relations nurse helped strengthen engagement with people in custody through focus groups and drop-in clinics.

Governance systems were described as robust, with clear reporting mechanisms and strong links with other health and care services across the local area.

Karen Goudie, Executive Nurse Director, said: “This is a great achievement, and I am incredibly proud of the local healthcare team at HMP Glenochil and our teams based at the other two national prisons in the Forth Valley area.

“Their commitment to delivering safe, effective and person-centred care, often in challenging circumstances, has set a new national benchmark for excellence. These results reflect the dedication of the multidisciplinary healthcare team who place compassion, professionalism and equity at the heart of everything they do.”