For those with a nagging feeling that their first profession is not their forever career, Tracie Ellis’ story is a true inspiration – and now she leads the healthcare team at one of the UK’s largest and busiest prisons.
For those with a nagging feeling that their first profession is not their forever career, Tracie Ellis’ story is a true inspiration – and now she is head of the healthcare team at one of the UK’s largest and busiest prisons.
Tracie had spent 20 years working in HR when she was suddenly drawn back to a childhood desire to be a nurse. She explained: “I had had a successful career working in corporate HR for large companies, mainly in the electronic and automotive sectors.
“I had moved into operational roles and I found my love of detail and organisation had paid professional dividends, but something still was unfulfilled. That all changed when I attended a nursing open day.”
Tracie went on to study at Staffordshire University, qualifying as an RGN. As part of her training she spent three months working at a prison, so when a full-time post came up at HMP Brinsford she jumped at it.
She later took two years away from prison healthcare to work in the community, honing her chronic pain management skills. She returned to prison healthcare, this time at HMP Oakwood where she worked as a deputy head of healthcare before taking over the top role.
She said:
“I feel as if all my skills and training have come together, enabling me to develop the team and to manage the service and our relationship with the prison service and commissioners, all while ensuring our patients get the best possible physical and mental care.
“Professionally, I am positively challenged and I feel as if I am adding to my team and the wellbeing of patients. Practice Plus Group has been very supportive and I hope that, by continuing with my training opportunities, I will be able to progress further. I hope to become a regional manager so that I can ensure best practice is spread throughout our area’s prisons for the good of patients and the wonderful people who support them.”
| Job title | Location | Contract type | Schedule type | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSK Physiotherapist – HMP Brinsford | West Midlands HMP YOI Brinsford | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 30 Sep 2025 |
| MSK Physiotherapist – HMP Bullingdon | Thames Valley HMP Bullingdon | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 30 Sep 2025 |
| Podiatrist – HMP Isle of Wight | HMP IOW | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 30 Sep 2025 |
| Podiatrist – HMP Werrington | West Midlands HMYOI Werrington | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 30 Sep 2025 |
| Self-Employed Podiatrist – HMP Werrington | West Midlands HMYOI Werrington | Prison Healthcare | Self employed | 30 Sep 2025 |
| Bank Pharmacist | Thames Valley HMP Bullingdon | Prison Healthcare | Casual/Bank | 5 Sep 2025 |
| General Practitioner – out of hours | HMP Eastwood Park | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 5 Sep 2025 |
| General Practitioner | HMP Belmarsh | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 5 Sep 2025 |
| General Practitioner | HMP Brixton | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 5 Sep 2025 |
| Senior Psychologist | HMP Stocken | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 4 Sep 2025 |
| General Practitioner – Out of hours | HMP Leicester | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 4 Sep 2025 |
| Consultant Psychiatrist | HMP Five Wells | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 4 Sep 2025 |
| General Practitioner- out of hours | HMP Foston Hall | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 28 Aug 2025 |
| General Practitioner | West Midlands HMP Oakwood | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 |
| General Practitioner | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 | |
| Consultant Psychiatrist | HMP Askham Grange | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 |
| General Practitioner – Out of Hours | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 |
| General Practitioner | HMP Stocken | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 |
| General Practitioner | HMP Altcourse | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 |
| Senior Psychologist | HMP Garth | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 27 Aug 2025 |
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