Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Scotland: national overview report 2023-24

8. Health

The roles and responsibilities of the NHS within the MAPPA framework are set out in the Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. The legislation also provides the 14 territorial Health boards and the State Hospital Board for Scotland with statutory functions as Responsible Authorities to establish joint arrangements for the assessment and management of risk posed by restricted patients.

On 31 March 2024 there were 319 restricted patients recorded on ViSOR as being managed under the MAPPA process in Scotland. The collation of restricted patients’ data nationally for annual reporting purposes is a complex issue, and consideration continues to be given to how this data is collected, with a view to ensuring that what is provided is meaningful and robust.

The Scottish Government continues to provide funding to the Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care 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, for example, those related to MAPPS and information sharing processes; chairing regular meetings with MAPPA Health liaison colleagues to share good practice; and undertaking specific MAPPA related pieces of work.

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. Work is currently being undertaken to refresh the current picture of key MAPPA contacts within all Health Boards and strengthen health links across Boards.

The Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services

The Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services chaired by Derek Barron contained one MAPPA specific recommendation for the Scottish Government - to consider the development of a more consistent way of sharing forensic mental health expertise with MAPPA partners and other external individuals or organisations (including other NHS services) across the country, citing the NHS Lothian Serious Offender Liaison Services (SOLS) and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde STAR services as potential models for this.

A number of meetings with key stakeholders have taken place to consider the delivery of this and the initial related proposal for a National SOLS and Prevent Service. Discussions to date have highlighted the need to address the identified gap and inconsistency of service provision in relation to Prevent cases as a priority. A key part of this work as it progresses will continue to be the need to take account of existing local arrangements across Health Boards to inform the development of an approach that supports national consistency in service provision. NHS Lothian is leading on taking this work forward, working closely with the Forensic Network and the Health Board Prevent single points of contact (SPOCs) network. As the work progresses, focus will continue to be given to reaching a consensus on the priority elements and next steps to deliver this in a stepped approach.

The Forensic Mental Health Reform Team, Mental Health Directorate is leading on work to coordinate and deliver the other recommendations from the Barron Review. Officials are establishing links and making connections around the recommendations. Further information on developments will be provided in the next reporting period including a progress update due to be published in Autumn 2024 and the establishment of a “Forensic Mental Health Board for Scotland” which aims to deliver a national approach to planning and governance of forensic mental health services, in line with taking a population needs based approach to the planning of services.