Recurring concern
Inadequate prison staff training for responding to medical emergencies
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Request correctionFirst reported 7 Nov 2014•Latest report 21 May 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures to provide, maintain, refresh or verify prison staff training and familiarisation specifically for responding to medical emergencies, including training for on-duty Governors and staff expected to use emergency-response procedures or systems such as ERIC.
Not included
- Excludes general prison staffing, communication, leadership or emergency-procedure deficiencies where inadequate staff training for medical-emergency response is not identified.
- Excludes clinical training for healthcare professionals unless the assertion specifically concerns prison staff training for responding to medical emergencies.
- Excludes first-aid or CPR training concerns where the report does not connect them to the broader prison staff medical-emergency response training process.
- Excludes failures in the conduct of a particular medical emergency after staff training was adequate.
- Reports
- 19
- Individual concerns
- 23
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 35
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Lack of mandatory refresher training in first aid and CPR for prison staff
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Provide ongoing refresher first-aid resources and learning materials, including bespoke first-on-scene emergency-response videos for prison and frontline staff.
Stated by Ministry of Justice and The Verne Prison -
Action
Undertake a comprehensive Training Needs Analysis to inform a structured First Aid training plan at HMP The Verne.
Stated by Ministry of Justice and The Verne Prison -
Action
Deliver monthly three-day First Aid at Work programmes from July 2026, supported by a forward-planned schedule of initial and refresher training.
Stated by Ministry of Justice and The Verne Prison
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Responsibility for prison officers’ refresher training lies with HM Prison and Probation Service, with the prisons minister best placed to respond.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Lack of ABD training for prison healthcare staff
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Ensure establishments include clear ABD red-flag criteria and emergency escalation pathways in healthcare training and operational briefings, with governance review of incidents.
Stated by NHS England
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Prison healthcare staff cannot reasonably be expected to diagnose ABD reliably; safety depends on recognising severe agitation, physiological red flags and emergency escalation.
Stated by NHS England
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Position
The available reviews do not identify ABD or excited delirium, suggesting the presentation was related to cocaine use and an undiagnosed heart condition.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Lack of prison officer training in acute behavioural disturbance (ABD)
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Consult clinical expertise to inform written guidance on recognising and escalating potential Acute Behavioural Disturbance emergencies.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Issue staff guidance explaining signs of Acute Behavioural Disturbance and appropriate escalation to healthcare professionals.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Diagnosis and response to Acute Behavioural Disturbance rest solely with healthcare professionals, while officers recognise indicators and escalate concerns.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Concerns raised1
Lack of training for prison officers in relation to ABD
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide regular mandatory basic life support training to prison officers
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Develop and provide first-aid instructional materials through staff e-learning platforms.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Deliver basic life-saving and CPR refresher sessions to staff through qualified Physical Education Instructors.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Promote the first-aid-at-work course and encourage wider staff participation to maintain sufficient qualified first aiders.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Concerns raised1
Lack of diabetes training and awareness among Prison Service staff
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Discussed local diabetes awareness needs with the healthcare provider at HMP The Verne.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Requiring all operational prison staff to undertake diabetes-specific training is unnecessary because training time is prioritised for higher-priority or broadly applicable topics.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Position
Training, guidance and diabetes awareness for prison staff are to be addressed by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Concerns raised1
Failure of first aid training to be prison specific for recognising unconsciousness
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to train prison officers to assess and recognise rigor mortis for CPR decisions
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Lack of seizure-response training for prison staff
Lack of ongoing first aid training for prison officers
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Schedule training for prison staff at HMP Pentonville on responding to fits.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Prison authorities, rather than healthcare, are responsible for addressing staff training and prisoner guidance on managing seizures and first aid.
Stated by Practice Plus Group
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Concerns raised1
Lack of prison officer training for assessment, removal and immediate CPR of prisoners on top bunks
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Provide initial first-aid training covering movement of unresponsive prisoners to a hard, flat surface before CPR.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Provide manual-handling and prisoner-movement training to equip staff to move prisoners for CPR and emergency first aid.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Make manual-handling training available digitally through initial induction and an e-learning platform accessible to all staff.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Existing first aid and manual handling training is considered sufficient for officers to move prisoners and commence CPR.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Position
HMPPS is responsible for training prison officers to manage prisoners on top bunks and will respond directly.
Stated by NHS England
Data last updated 7 September 2026