Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why a detainee at Colnbrook Immigration Centre was denied HIV medication.

All immigration removal centres (IRCs) have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses, which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers, and delivered in line with the national service specifications for healthcare services in IRCs. There is also full access to the 24-hour on-site healthcare team and where appropriate, medication.

We take the health and welfare of those detained in our care very seriously. All detained individuals entering an IRC receive a healthcare screening within two hours of their arrival, which identifies any immediate or long-term healthcare risks. Unless they decline, individuals in IRCs are given an appointment with a doctor within 24 hours. Clinical pathways into other healthcare services are initiated at this point depending on the outcomes of the reception screening, including into sexual health services and specialist HIV prescribers. Those carrying prescribed medication will have their medication checked and re-issued by healthcare teams at the earliest possible opportunity. Individuals continue to have access to medical assistance, including medication, throughout their time in an IRC.

We are working closely with NHS England to ensure that HIV positive detained individuals, who refuse or frustrate access to their existing held medications, can be seen promptly by qualified HIV doctors who are able to access and prescribe without delay.