Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
EDITOR – Birmingham1 is optimistic that improved links between
prisons and the NHS will lead to better care and eventual integration of
prison health care into the NHS.
Prisoners with cancer who have specialist palliative care needs could
easily become a forgotten minority. The losses that cancer brings (of
health and of role) are combined with the loss of freedom; patients coming
to terms with their prognosis do not have the benefits of their family
around them; and analgesic prescribing can be complicated by previous (or
on-going) drug abuse.
Our hospice has a good relationship with the local prison and, as a
team, we have been involved in the care of a number of prisoners. We have
been surprised that some patients prefer to stay in their cells rather
than be transferred to the medical block, finding great support from their
fellow inmates; facing their illness with the same stoicism as their
incarceration.
These patients have complex multidisciplinary needs and Doctors
Working in Prisons2 states that hospice expertise should be available as
it is in the community. This is to be applauded and we hope that we can
continue to work together to treat these people as patients not prisoners.
1 Birmingham L. Doctors working in prisons. BMJ 2002; 324:440.
2 Department of Health. Report of the working group on doctors
working in prisons. London: Department of Health, 2001.
There are no competing interests
Competing interests:
No competing interests
05 March 2002
Paul Perkins
Specialist Registrar Palliative Medicine
Carys Davies (Staff Grade Physician), Susan P. Closs (Consultant Physician)
Ty Olwen Hospice, Morriston Hospital, Morriston, Swansea, SA6 6NL
Palliative Care in Prisons
EDITOR – Birmingham1 is optimistic that improved links between
prisons and the NHS will lead to better care and eventual integration of
prison health care into the NHS.
Prisoners with cancer who have specialist palliative care needs could
easily become a forgotten minority. The losses that cancer brings (of
health and of role) are combined with the loss of freedom; patients coming
to terms with their prognosis do not have the benefits of their family
around them; and analgesic prescribing can be complicated by previous (or
on-going) drug abuse.
Our hospice has a good relationship with the local prison and, as a
team, we have been involved in the care of a number of prisoners. We have
been surprised that some patients prefer to stay in their cells rather
than be transferred to the medical block, finding great support from their
fellow inmates; facing their illness with the same stoicism as their
incarceration.
These patients have complex multidisciplinary needs and Doctors
Working in Prisons2 states that hospice expertise should be available as
it is in the community. This is to be applauded and we hope that we can
continue to work together to treat these people as patients not prisoners.
1 Birmingham L. Doctors working in prisons. BMJ 2002; 324:440.
2 Department of Health. Report of the working group on doctors
working in prisons. London: Department of Health, 2001.
There are no competing interests
Competing interests: No competing interests