An innovative and collaborative project spearheaded by Spectrum’s team at HMP Frankland was shortlisted at HSJ’s Partnership Awards, held last night (20 March 2025) in London.
The team was nominated in two categories this year: Best Not for Profit Working in Partnership with the NHS & Most Impactful Use of Technology on Clinical Practice.
In partnership with the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust and HMPPS, Spectrum colleagues launched the innovative Virtual Ward in May 2023 to reduce unnecessary emergency hospital visits for patients at HMP Frankland – a Category A prison. 
This collaboration emerged from a shared commitment to address the unique challenges of delivering equitable healthcare in secure settings. The objective was to create a system that would:
- Improve patient care, safety and confidentiality.
- Overcome barriers in accessing specialist care.
- Minimise the logistical and security challenges of transporting prisoners for medical appointments.
- Enhance outcomes by aligning prison healthcare standards with those in the wider community
The outcomes and impact of the Virtual Ward include:
Quantifiable Results
- Reduction in Emergency Transfers: Emergency hospital visits dropped from 19 in April 2023 (costing £6,402) to 6 in April 2024 (£2,379), marking a 63% cost saving.
- Environmental Impact: Fewer hospital transports reduced the carbon footprint associated with prisoner transfers.
Enhanced Patient Experience
- Patients no longer face the anxiety of not knowing appointment details or the stigma of visible security measures.
- Timely triage and hospital coordination result in shorter wait times and improved patient satisfaction.
Improved Healthcare Standards
- The VW ensures equitable access to care, aligning prison healthcare with community standards.
- High-demand specialties, such as colposcopy, are now available within prisons, increasing treatment compliance and accessibility for vulnerable groups.
- Reduced delays in treatment through earlier triage and comprehensive care plans.
- Improved management of chronic conditions by allowing continuous clinical oversight.
- Enhanced collaboration between prison and hospital healthcare teams ensures timely and effective care.
Staff Empowerment
- Prison healthcare staff have been upskilled through tailored training programmes provided by CDDFT.
- Enhanced confidence and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams improve care quality.
Today, the Virtual Ward continues to enhance patient dignity, improve health outcomes, reduce inefficiencies, and produce a better patient experience – all whilst achieving significant cost and environmental savings.
These nominations underscore the innovative nature of the initiative and its significant contributions to improving healthcare delivery in secure settings. Huge congratulations to all involved, on being recognised for the project’s achievements!