Launch of new Care Pathway and Model for Community Forensic Services in Northern Ireland

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long have launched a new Care Pathway and Model to provide streamlined access to Community Forensic Services.

The purpose of the Care Pathway and Model is to ensure that people requiring specialist support in the community are receiving a quality service that is safe, consistent, accessible and responsive to their mental health, psychological, behavioural and social care needs. 

A bespoke training programme in Forensic Care, designed to accompany the Pathway and Model, will support the development of the workforce, enhance understanding and build confidence to ensure recovery is safe, sustained and ultimately improve outcomes.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “The launch of this new Care Pathway and Model allows for better monitoring and streamlining of this specialist support in the community, particularly where there are a range of professionals and agencies involved in the management and care of its users. Along with the new bespoke training, it ensures a quality service that is safe, consistent, accessible and responsive to each individual’s mental health, psychological, behavioural and social care needs. 

I want to congratulate the Forensic Managed Care Network for their work to develop these initiatives and their commitment and dedication to drive service improvements.”

Justice Minister, Naomi Long said: “I welcome the launch of this new Care Pathway and Model, and the bespoke training programme which has been developed to reflect the diverse needs of our population.

“This is an excellent example of cross- departmental and cross - sectoral working to deliver better outcomes for the people using this service and for wider society.

“The significant and impressive involvement and collaboration of the workforce from both Health and Justice is building effective solutions to improve the accessibility, acceptability and effectiveness of forensic care services.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Care Pathway and Model for Community Forensic Services in Northern Ireland is available to view here.
2. The bespoke training programme in Forensic Care has been co-designed and produced in partnership with the Scottish School of Forensic Mental Health and representatives from the Forensic Managed Care Network.
3. The Forensic Managed Care Network brings together health and social care services with justice partners, academics and community and voluntary organisations. The Network was established as an action of the Mental Health Action Plan 2020 and addresses recommendations in the Bamford Review of Forensic Services Report.
4. Forensic mental health and intellectual disability adult services specialise in the assessment, treatment, risk management and rehabilitation of people with complex and chronic mental disorders, which are linked to offending or seriously harmful behaviour and who are involved with, or at risk of being involved with the Criminal Justice System. Further information on the full range of services provided by Health and Social Care Forensic Services is available at; Belfast HSCT; Northern HSCT; South Eastern HSCT; Southern HSCT;  Western HSCT; Regional Forensic Unit
5. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
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7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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