New BASHH Standards for the Management of Sexual Health in UK Prisons Published
The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) published its new Standards for the Management of Sexual Health in UK Prisons.
“The Standards for the Management of Sexual Health in UK Prisons have been created to promote and support the equity of sexual healthcare for those in UK prisons. Those in prison should have rapid access to sexual health care; appropriate assessment of their sexual health needs with the most appropriate tests and timely results; their confidentiality should be maintained; they should receive good quality services from adequately trained staff; and where needed, be referred on to other specialities. To fully understand the barriers faced and the needs of those affected, people in prison need to be included in the development of sexual healthcare services in prisons.
The standards will support commissioners, healthcare providers and those in prison to ensure sexual health care provision in prison settings mirrors that of the community. Additional measures are outlined in the standards to promote equity of care, such as opt-out screening for blood borne viruses on arrival and further discussion at 14 days. Screening on arrival at each secure unit will help overcome the rapid turnover and sometimes frequent movement of those in prison.”