Forensics and Custody Health Forensics and Custody Health

Forensics and Custody Health

North Region Health & Care Collaboration North Region Health & Care Collaboration North Region Health & Care Collaboration North Region Health & Care Collaboration North Region Health & Care Collaboration North Region Health & Care Collaboration

All Networks & Alliances

North of Scotland Forensics and Custody Healthcare Alliance

Information about the North of Scotland Forensics and Custody Healthcare Alliance

An Alliance has been established between NHS Grampian, NHS Tayside, NHS Highlands, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles in recognition of the unique challenges faced in providing consistency of custody and forensic medical services in rural or remote areas of this region.

We aim to continuously consider, discuss, and find solutions to improve our services across this unique region of Scotland. The Alliance will provide support for staff who are involved in the delivery of these services including telephone advice, clinical staff peer support, education and training using the latest Virtual technology and IT systems to link services on the islands with mainland counterparts and share good practice and service standards through a centre of expertise which in turn will link to other national centres of expertise. The Alliance aims to focus on engaging stakeholders and taking informed decisions in risk management, developing capacity and capability, promote our values and improve outcomes for service users and citizens.

The North Team

Chair: Jim Cannon, Director of Regional Planning (North)

Clinical Lead: Dr Leanne Tee, Lead Forensic Medical Examiner, NHS Highland

Network Manager: Fiona Collins

Project Support Officer: Katrina Taylor

PA/Administrator: Carol Mayo 

Alliance Objectives

In January 2020, the North of Scotland “Forensics and Custody Healthcare Delivery Group” agreed to work in a collaborative way as an Alliance. The Alliance supports regional or cross Board working in these services, where it adds value.

In 2020 and 2021, it was agreed that the Alliance would be responsible for the following:

· Provide regional steer for all Forensic Medical Services and Custody Healthcare activities within Boards

· Provide regional awareness of local Board discussions

· To discuss local issues that may have a regional impact

· To support development of ‘business as usual’ activities across the boards

· To identify areas within the service that could be enhanced through a regional approach 

· Provide peer support

· To link in to the national networks and support the North Boards to meet national standards

· To create a set of principles the FME can follow

· To inform/advise, form a consensus view and make recommendations to the North CEOs for        consideration/approval

· To support the maintenance of the NoS Virtual Centre of Expertise for Sexual Assault and Rape services (website)

· To support the maintenance of the NoS Centre of Expertise for Forensics and Custody Healthcare (SharePoint)

National groups

The Alliance links closely with the following National Groups: 

· National Co-ordinating Network for Healthcare and Forensic Medical Services for People in Police Care

· National Strategic Network for Healthcare and Forensic Medical Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault

· SARCS Programme Board

Custody Health

When people are held in police custody, the NHS are responsible for meeting any healthcare needs they have, whether this is an examination, treatment of injuries or medication.

Many custody centres have nurses working within the centre 24/7, supported by the doctor (Forensic Physician).

Should someone in police custody require more specialist care, they will be assessed by the nurse / doctor and may be transferred to the appropriate services, such as A&E or mental health services.

If you work within NHS Scotland North, within Custody Health, you can access our North Centre of Expertise for Forensics and Custody Health which is only for staff.  Details of training, guidance and procedures are held within here. 

Rape and Sexual Assault

We have now created a NoS Centre of Expertise for Sexual Assault and Rape Services.   If you are looking for information relating to Sexual Assault and Rape services, please click the link above.

If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, it’s understandable if you don’t know what to do or where to turn.  SARCS is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if you are not ready to tell the police or are unsure.

You can find more information about how to self-refer to a SARCS and the telephone number to call, on the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot/sarcs 

 

 

Page updated 22/05/23