The ECMD-prison study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Improving the Experience of Care for people prescribed Medications with a risk of Dependence or withdrawal in prison: The ECMD-prisons study.

• IRAS ID

  365502

• Contact name

  Jennifer Seddon

• Contact email

  jseddon@brookes.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Oxford Brookes University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 11 months, 28 days

• Research summary

  Medications in prison are prescribed at higher levels compared to the community. These medicines include drugs to prevent pain or seizures (called opioids and gabapentinoids), tranquillisers (benzodiazepines), and drugs to treat sleep problems (z-drugs). Although these medicines are widely used, they can cause dependence and withdrawal, meaning people may find it difficult to stop taking them.
  People in prison have poorer health and more complex health needs, but prescribing medications that might help is challenging. Medication may be stopped upon entry to prison leading to withdrawal symptoms, and people in prison have said they often feel powerless over their healthcare. Making sure that people in prison receive good quality healthcare is important.
  This study aims to improve the experience of care for people prescribed medications with a risk of dependence or withdrawal in prison.

  In this study we will work with at least two prisons; we will interview 20 current prisoners who have been prescribed these medications and 15 prison healthcare professionals. Using the findings, we will then work with former prisoners (to reduce pressure on prison resources) and prison healthcare staff to identify what needs to be improved, and to co-design solutions to improve the experience of care for prisoners.
  
  At the end of the study, we aim to have:
  • improved staff knowledge and skills in providing good care for people in prison;
  • found solutions to improve care;
  • improved the experience of care for people in prison who are prescribed medications with a risk of dependence or withdrawal

  The overall impact of the study will be to improve understanding of patient experience of care in prison and to use this information to identify changes that can be made to ensure that people in prison have the best possible experience of care.
  

• REC name

  East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1

• REC reference

  26/ES/0001

• Date of REC Opinion

  4 Mar 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion