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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substance Misuse Nurse | West Yorkshire HMP Wealstun | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Assistant | HMP The Mount | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Speech and Language Therapist | HMP Belmarsh | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Technician | HMP YOI Doncaster | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Healthcare Assistant | West Midlands HMP Oakwood | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Technician | London HMP Wormwood Scrubs | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Technician | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Technician | HMP The Mount | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Respiratory Specialist Nurse | London Regional | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Primary Care Nurse | Suffolk HMP YOI Warren Hill | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Support Time and Recovery Navigator | North Yorkshire | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Clinical Reconnect Practitioner | West Yorkshire | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Assistant Psychologist | West Yorkshire HMP Leeds | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Preceptorship Psychologist | HMP Fosse Way | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Night Nurse | HMP Wymott | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Technician- (Part-time) | Gatwick IRC | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Primary Care Nurse (Bank) | HMP Altcourse | Prison Healthcare | Casual/Bank | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Pharmacy Technician | HMP IOW | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Substance Misuse Nurse | HMP Belmarsh | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Advanced Clinical Practitioner | West Midlands HMP Hewell | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Sep 2025 |
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