The Forensic Network is one of Scotland's Managed Clinical Networks. The Network was established in Scotlandin September 2003 by the Scottish Government, in conjunction with "The Mental Health Act 2003", and following a review of the State Hospital's Board for Scotland, 'The Right Place - The Right Time'. The review stated that a Forensic Mental Health Services Network Managed Care Network should be established to address fragmentation across the Forensic Mental Health Estate, to overview the processes for determining the most effective care for mentally disordered offenders, consider wider issues surrounding patient pathways, and align strategic planning across Scotland.
Activities
Under the auspices of the Scottish National Health Service, the Network is multi-agency, multi-disciplinary and multi-regional, linked with Scottish Prison Service, Social Work Services, and Police, Criminal Justice agencies, the Scottish Government and Carers, amongst others. The Scottish Ministers invited Andreana Adamson, Chief Executive of the State Hospital, to lead on its development: The aim for the Network is to bring a pan-dimensional SCOTLAND approach to the planning, development and rehabilitation pathways for forensic mental health services. The Network host several professional groups, commission short life working groups to tackle specific concerns, and facilitate clinical forums on a variety of key topic areas. The Network take a regional approach in order to achieve their aims of addressing fragmentation across forensic mental health services and representatives from NHS regions sit on an advisory committee and board to provide guidance and input into national approaches. The Forensic Network host the School of Forensic Mental Health which was established in 2007 and provides colleagues across the Forensic Network with teaching, training and research support. It is a virtual school and has connections with many secondary education providers, providing short professional courses, academic courses and distance learning courses across Scotland. Its flagship programme suite is the New to Forensic courses which have received international interest and commendation.
