Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA): overview report 2019 to 2020

7.0 Health

NHS Boards have a dual role under MAPPA and are both a Responsible Authority and a Duty to Co-operate Agency under Section 10(3) of the 2005 Act. As a Responsible Authority, Health Boards are the lead agency for the management of restricted patients. This means they are responsible for both clinical care and risk management of restricted patients in accordance with the MAPPA National Guidance. This also extends to providing data to the MAPPA co-coordinators for publication in the local annual report about the number of restricted patients in each Health Board Area. NHS Boards also have a responsibility to contribute to MAPPA strategic planning. Each Board has a nominated senior manager who will represent the Board at the strategic MAPPA meetings.

As a Duty to Co-operate Agency, NHS Boards also have a responsibility to share risk relevant information about individuals subject to MAPPA. Each Board has a MAPPA health liaison officer who has responsibility for this. The MAPPA health liaison officer will also represent the Health Board at MAPPA meetings and as well as sharing health information that is relevant to risk, will also manage risk relevant information that is provided to them by other MAPPA partners. This information is then used to ensure that risk is considered and, when appropriate, managed within a healthcare setting.

In addition, the Scottish Government continues to provide funding to the Forensic Mental Health Services Network (the Forensic Network) to support engagement by the NHS with MAPPA. The Forensic Network, through the Lead for Serious and Violent Offenders, supports the NHS MAPPA work in a number of ways. These include attendance at National Strategic meetings on behalf of Health, chairing regular meetings with MAPPA Health liaison colleagues and advising on a range of MAPPA related projects. The MAPPA health liaison practitioners meet to share good practice, for example the development of a MAPPA digital learning package and to review developments relating to the health role in MAPPA and provide co-ordinated feedback on consultations.

The Forensic Network also supports the MAPPA Clinical Forum, an annual practitioner forum which has the objectives of Networking, Education, Operations and Policy. The forum provides a vehicle for services to consider areas within MAPPA practice that might require guidance and a shared approach, as well as providing the opportunity to network and share good practice. The Forensic Network Lead, along with other health colleagues, also supports MAPPA partners through the development and delivery of training and also research.

The Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services

The Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services is, amongst other issues, reviewing the provision of forensic mental health services to support the ongoing assessment and management of high risk offenders (violent and sexual) managed under MAPPA in the community.

The review recently published an interim report setting out what people told it during its call for evidence). The next phase is to consider its recommendations in light of the evidence it has gathered. The review is expected to report by the end of January 2021.