Launched in 2011, the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway (OPD) is a jointly funded partnership between HMPPS and the NHS in England and Wales. It is a long-term change programme that commissions treatment and support services nationally for individuals with some of the most complex mental health needs linked to their offending. Whilst a diagnosis is not required to access services, these needs are characterised as a ‘personality disorder’. Services for people within scope are delivered across prisons, Adult Secure Mental Health Services, and community settings. The OPD is not a single service, but a connected system of interventions, activities, training, and staff support.
The Primrose Service at HMP Low Newton provides therapeutic interventions for high and very high-risk women who screen into the OPD. The service is delivered on a non-residential basis and is currently commissioned through a service level agreement (SLA) that was established prior to the formal development of the OPD programme.
The Primrose Service offers up to 12 static places, alongside a small number of ‘dynamic non-residential’ (often understood as ‘outreach’) spaces, for women presenting with personality difficulties linked to risk. It operates a day treatment model within a custodial setting, allowing services to be responsive to individual need. A recent commissioning intentions report confirmed the ongoing need for the Primrose Service and expanded its remit and funding to include ‘dynamic non-residential’ support for women who would meet the service criteria but are unable to attend the day service.
The proposal is to award a five year contract, subject to funding.
Market engagement will be communicated through find a tender service in due course.