Scotland ' s approach to forensic mental health and learning disabilities – the Forensic Network
| Date | 14 December 2015 |
| Pages | 187-194 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-10-2015-0040 |
| Published date | 14 December 2015 |
| Author | Helen Walker,Lesley Murphy,Vivienne Gration |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Offending behaviour |
Scotland’s approach to forensic mental
health and learning disabilities –the
Forensic Network
Helen Walker, Lesley Murphy and Vivienne Gration
Dr Helen Walker is Consultant
Nurse Forensic Network and
Senior Lecturer at the
University of West Scotland,
Hamilton, UK.
Lesley Murphy is Clinical Nurse
and Vivienne Gration is
Forensic Network Manager,
both at The State Hospital,
Carstairs, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The Forensic M ental Health S ervices Managed Care Network i s described, inc luding the
School of Forensic Mental Health. The purpose of this paper is to outline background, it details successes
and challenges,focuses on linksto clinical practice for LearningDisabilities (LD)service development,describes
education and training, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working and qualityimprovement. Findings from a
small scale brief educational study undertaken in the high-secure service are included as an example of
good practice.
Design/methodology/approach –Specific features relating to LD are highlighted. Comparisons are made
with other managed clinical and managed care networks.
Findings –The Forensic Network has evolved over time. It has played a crucial role in shaping Scotland’s
approach to Forensic Mental Health and LD. Central to its success is active involvement of key stakeholders,
a multi-agency approach and collaborative working practice. Future plans include formal evaluation
of impact.
Originality/value –This paper offers an interesting perspective from a forensic mental health managed
care network; the existing literature is limited.
Keywords Training, Integration, Policy, Education, Forensic mental health, Managed care network
Paper type General review
Introduction
Health services fragmentation is considered to be one of the main obstacles to attaining effective
healthcare outcomes in many healthcare systems around the world (World Health Organization,
2008). In order to address this problem integration of care has been promoted by international
agencies and national governments (Pan American Health Organisation, 2010; World Health
Organization, 2008). Plans for organisational or integrated delivery systems date back many
years (Shortell et al., 1994). The concept of integration was embraced by Scottish Government
who produced legislation defining managed clinical networks (Scottish Executive Health
Department, 1999; 10) and subsequently promoted their development in NHS Scotland
(Scottish Executive Health Department, 2002a; 69). Managed care networks extend the
principles of managed clinical networks to health and social care. Managed clinical networks
tend to be condition specific, and require robust quality assurance frameworks in order to be
effective. Examples in Scotland can be found in the areas of diabetes as well as coronary heart
disease and stroke. It is acknowledged that the model for these networks has applicability
beyond health, extending more widely to a range of care services provided by various agencies
for different care groups.
Received 2 October 2015
Revised 20 October 2015
Accepted 21 October 2015
DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-10-2015-0040 VOL. 6 NO. 3/4 2015, pp.187-194, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824
j
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR
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