General Practitioner and Nurse Practitioner Services for Prisoners

Overview The Department of Corrections (NZ) is planning to request proposals to provide general practitioner and nurse practitioner services for prisoners. About Medical officers and nurse practitioners work as part of multidisciplinary teams to assess, diagnose and manage a wide range of acute and long-term health conditions. Their work includes developing treatment plans, prescribing medication, ordering and interpreting diagnostic investigations, and providing preventive healthcare and health education. Clinicians also help to restore dignity, improve quality of life and build confidence for people who have often experienced longstanding inequities and barriers to accessing healthcare. Purpose General practitioners and nurse practitioners who are motivated to make a difference in a safe, supportive, unique environment are encouraged to consider working with the Department of Corrections. This is an opportunity to contribute to better health outcomes for people in prison and support their journey toward improved wellbeing, rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community. Scope The scope includes: Assessing, diagnosing and managing a wide range of acute and long-term health conditions for prisoners Developing treatment plans Prescribing medication Ordering and interpreting diagnostic investigations Providing preventive healthcare and health education Instructions to Tenderers A summary of the current thinking for the procurement process is: A single national procurement process will allow respondents to offer to provide services for individual sites and multiple sites The procurement will be operated via email (tenders@corrections.govt.nz), meaning questions and answers and responses will be managed via email The procurement will be advertised on GETS and other media Tender documentation is expected to be provided in Q4 of this year, potentially around November An extended response period is expected to be allowed Services do not start until the beginning of October 2027, so contracts will need to be in place by then Enquiries Contact: Ken Barnett Email: tenders@corrections.govt.nz