What are Forensic Mental Health Services?

Forensic mental health services assess and treat offenders with mental disorders and patients with major behavioural, mental health problems and intellectual disabilities in a range of secure health facilities, the community, police stations, courts and prisons.

The Forensic Managed Care Network for Northern Ireland (FMCNNI) was established in June 2019.  It was developed to sustain the co-ordination of multi-agency working across Health and Social Care (HSC) services, Criminal Justice Agencies (CJA), third sector and user and carer organisations.  The Forensic Managed Care Network Northern Ireland will ensure continuity of regional service co-ordination, co-operation and planning, for the benefit of a complex and often, high-risk client group, who are supported by carers and family members.

The Forensic Managed Care Network Northern Ireland (NI) covers both mental health and intellectual development disabilities services across NI.  It is a partnership initiative in collaboration with the Scottish Forensic Network and the Irish National Forensic Mental Health Services.

Role of the Forensic Managed Care Network

• Bring a consistent approach to the planning of services
• Address fragmentation across Forensic Service’s in NI,
• Determine the most effective care for the mentally disordered offenders
• Consider wider issues surrounding patient pathways
• Align strategic planning across NI, and address teaching, training and research needs

Aims and Objectives

The overarching aims for the Network are to:

• Provide visible leadership and promote interagency working to enhance forensic mental health services within Northern Ireland.
• Advise service commissioners, Department of Health, Department of Justice and other agencies on current and future priorities for forensic mental health and intellectual disability services.
• Promote co-ordination of the provision and development of services with a focus on evidence based and efficient use of resources, and users’ experience.
• To co-ordinate and support the three sub-groups to deliver on Forensic Network work plans.  The three groups are:
  • Criminal Justice Interagency and Clinical Practice Group (CJI & CPG)
  • Research and Quality Improvement Group (R&QIG)
  • Training and Education Group (T&EG)

• Project Initiation Document (PID)
• Baseline Audit of Forensic Mental Health and Learning Disability Services – Adult Services

Key Stakeholders

The Network is a partnership initiative and key stakeholders include:

• Scottish Forensic Network
• Irish National Forensic Mental Health Services
• Health and Social Care (HSC) organisations
• Department of Health and other government departments
• Criminal Justice Agencies
• Voluntary and charity organisations
• User and carer groups

Events

Seminar: Forensic community accommodation needs and approaches in Northern Ireland

Forensic Managed Care Network, Research and Quality Improvement Group – 2nd Seminar series event

Wednesday 18 March 2020 – 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Canada Room and Council Chamber
Lanyon Building, Queen’s University Belfast

Registration is free, but places are limited. Please register at Eventbrite

Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 – Seminar: The Development of Forensic Services in Northern Ireland

Forensic Managed Care Network –  Launch of the Regional Forensic Care Pathway

Tuesday 19 May 2020 (10am-2pm)
Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim
Registration: 9.30am

Keynote Speaker to be confirmed – details will be published on this webpage soon.

Publications

Contact details

If you would like further information on the FMCN contact:

Noel McDonald
Forensic Network Manager

T: 028 9036 3622
E: noel.mcdonald@hscni.net

Further information

Scottish Forensic Network

Irish National Forensic Mental Health Services