Core20PLUS5: His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service – an approach to address inequities in healthcare for people in contact with the criminal justice system

Abstract

People involved in the criminal justice system are one of the population target cohorts of Core20PLUS5, a national National Health Service (NHS) England approach to support reduction of healthcare inequalities. For the health and justice system to be socially equitable, fair and just, the leadership across the health landscape has a central role to play to ensure this vulnerable group has an equitable opportunity for improved healthy life expectancy, regardless of their multiple disadvantages. On the 75th year of the inception of the NHS, this article is a call to action to bring about sustainable change through data reporting, digital innovation, accelerating preventative programmes and system leadership in order to achieve equitable access, excellent experience and optimal outcomes. It acknowledges the detrimental impact of crime and the importance of improving a range of health and social outcomes for this group.