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Clinical insight grounded in the realities of healthcare in custody
Understanding the pressures that make healthcare in custody different
Withdrawal, acute illness, mental health needs and medicines continuity can converge during a particularly vulnerable transition.
Recognition and management of alcohol and opioid withdrawal, polysubstance use, OST continuity and changing tolerance.
Safe prescribing and treatment depend on timely information, verification and effective interfaces with community services.
Recognition, observation and escalation take place within operational constraints that differ significantly from community healthcare.
Clinical risk can emerge at the boundaries between healthcare providers, custodial services, commissioners and external organisations.
Effective review requires consideration of clinical decisions alongside pathways, governance, communication and wider system factors.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What does Athena Clinical Advisory do?
Athena provides independent clinical advisory, governance, investigation and education services to organisations delivering regulated healthcare. We provide experienced clinical expertise to help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, improve quality and respond effectively when things go wrong.
Who does Athena work with?
We work with organisations delivering healthcare in complex, regulated and challenging environments. This includes secure healthcare providers, prisons and IRCs, care providers, independent healthcare services, specialist clinical organisations and legal teams.
What is an ongoing Clinical Advisory partnership?
Our Clinical Advisory service gives organisations ongoing access to experienced, independent clinical expertise without necessarily employing additional senior clinical leadership in house. Support can include clinical governance, quality and safety, incident review, policy development, regulatory preparation and advice to senior leaders.
Do you only work in secure healthcare?
No. Secure healthcare is a particular area of expertise for Athena, but we work more broadly with regulated health and care organisations where independent clinical leadership, governance or specialist advice can add value.
Can Athena support us with CQC preparation?
Yes. Athena can independently review clinical governance arrangements, policies, evidence and areas of clinical risk, helping organisations identify weaknesses and prepare for regulatory scrutiny. We do not guarantee inspection outcomes and responsibility for regulatory compliance remains with the provider.
Can you investigate serious incidents?
Yes. Athena provides independent clinical review and investigation following serious incidents, complaints and other significant events. The scope can range from focused clinical case review to wider examination of governance, systems and organisational learning.
Do you provide training?
Yes. Athena develops bespoke clinical education for the environments in which staff actually work. Rather than simply adapting generic material, our programmes can be designed around the particular clinical, operational and governance challenges faced by an organisation.
Can you develop a bespoke training programme for our organisation?
Yes. We can review your existing provision, identify priorities and develop individual sessions or broader programmes. Training can include areas such as reception healthcare, safeguarding, acute and emergency care, medicines, long term conditions, clinical risk and patient safety.
Who delivers Athena’s work?
Athena is clinically led and draws on a network of experienced healthcare professionals and governance specialists according to the needs of each engagement. This includes expertise from senior doctors, CQC Registered Managers, Heads of Healthcare, clinical leaders, pharmacists and senior nursing professionals.
Can you work alongside our existing clinical and governance teams?
Yes. Athena is intended to complement existing leadership rather than replace it. We can provide an independent perspective, additional specialist expertise or additional capacity while working collaboratively with your existing teams.
Does Athena provide legal advice?
No. Athena provides independent clinical and medicolegal expertise, but does not provide legal advice. Where an issue requires legal interpretation or representation, we recommend that clients obtain advice from an appropriately qualified legal professional.
Can Athena work with solicitors and legal teams?
Yes. Athena can provide independent clinical expertise in relation to medicolegal matters, case review and expert opinion. The precise scope of any instruction is agreed at the outset.
Do you offer one off projects as well as ongoing support?
Yes. Organisations can engage Athena for a defined project, such as a governance review, investigation, training programme or regulatory preparation, or through an ongoing Clinical Advisory arrangement.
How much does Athena cost?
Every engagement is scoped according to the organisation’s requirements.
Following an initial discussion, we provide a clear proposal setting out the scope, deliverables and fees before any work begins.
Do you work across the UK?
Yes. Athena can support organisations across the UK, with many advisory and governance services available remotely alongside on site work where required.
How do we get started?
The first step is a confidential, no obligation conversation about your organisation, the challenges you are facing and the support you may need. We can then recommend an appropriate approach and, where helpful, provide a written proposal.
