Audit of epilepsy healthcare provision in a large UK category B prison

There are NICE guidelines and quality standards outlining principles of effective care provision for patients with epilepsy in England1. Nearly fourteen years ago, in 2008, Tittensor and colleagues2 highlighted that for people with epilepsy within the prison system the standards applicable at that time were not met (the standards have been revised since.) The UK prison population is currently around 80,000 and has risen by 74 percent in the last 30 years3 There are important demographic challenges in this population with respect to delivering consistent and effective healthcare, these include increased rates of mental health problems and substance misuse4, lack of a stable home5 and high rates of recidivism (reoffending)6.

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