Chief Medical Officer Directorate

Directorate for Chief Medical Officer, Public Health and Sport
Principal Medical Officer (Forensic Psychiatry)
T: 0131 244 2809 (Mon) 01383 825762 (Tues-Frid) F: 0131-244 2846
E. (secretary)
E: / 

To: all RMOs for restricted patients

3 May 2011

Dear Colleague

PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER (FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY) TO THE DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION

As many of you will already know, my 5 year secondment at the Scottish Government comes to an end in November. I am writing to all consultant psychiatrists in Scotland, with a copy of the job description for my replacement.

I have very much enjoyed my time in the Directorate for Health and Social Care Integration. The work is varied and stimulating and I have been extremely well supported by an excellent team of civil servants. While the core of the job relates to restricted patients, there is also the opportunity to contribute more widely to policy relating to forensic psychiatry, for example through the Forensic Network.

The Principal Medical Officer (Forensic) will work closely with Dr Moira Connelly, who advises on all other areas of mental health.

Any general questions and applications about the role on the enclosed job description, should be addressed to DrAileen Keel, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, telephone 0131 233 2799. I am also happy to answer any specific questions about the job content and to discuss the general nature of the job with potential applicants.

Applications should be submitted no later than Friday 10 June 2011.

Yours sincerely

DR MARGARET MORRISON

Principal Medical Officer (Forensic)

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT DIRECTORATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER - FORENSIC (FULL TIME) - EDINBURGH

JOB DESCRIPTION

Applications are invited for a full-time seconded appointment at Principal Medical Officer (PMO) level. The appointment is for a fixed term of 2years in the first instance, with the possibility of extension. The terms of this post reflect the need for considerable expert input at a time of great acceleration in the policy, risk assessment and legislative framework of forensic psychiatry in Scotland. Your application should give a full but concise account of the nature, extent and level of responsibility you have held and include the skills, experience and expertise which you believe you would bring to this appointment.

THE JOB

The core of your job will be to provide expert psychiatric advice to the Scottish Government with regard to restricted patients, their risk management, transfer and suspension of detention, taking clinical progress and public safety issues into account. You will also be involved in the preparation of advice to the Mental Health Tribunal in respect of restricted patient hearings. You may on occasion be required to give evidence.

There are approximately 300 restricted patients (including remand patients with “restricted” status) managed by the Scottish Government on behalf of Ministers, with about 20 new patients every year, not including prisoner transfers. The PMO (Forensic) reviews all patients every 6 months to 2 years. A minimum of one day per month is spent at the State Hospital for restricted patient reviews, with visits to other hospitals in Scotland on a regular basis and as required throughout the year – normally at key rehabilitation stages.

You will work closely with officials in the Restricted Patients Branch of the Reshaping Care and Mental Health Division and will liaise with other professionals within the Scottish Government Directorate for Health and Social Care Integration including management, medical, nursing and social work staff, as well as civil servants. In addition, you will be the main link with relevant medical colleagues through the Forensic Executive Committee and the Scottish Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Executive Committee. You will also meet weekly with the restricted patient team and contribute to the Compulsion Order and Restriction Order (CORO) group which meets fortnightly and is chaired by the Deputy Director of Reshaping Care and Mental Health Division, Mr Geoff Huggins.

You will sit on the Forensic Network Management Board and may be involved in future sub-groups.

You will work closely with the Reshaping Care and Mental Health Division and liaise with DrMoira Connelly, Principal Medical Officer, Directorate for Health and Social Care Integration. You will, therefore, be expected to be present in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, for approximately 3days a week and at other times to be available for consultation by telephone or email.

You will also have advisory responsibilities on legislative issues, planning and policy for forensic psychiatry services, including those relating to learning disability and child and adolescent psychiatry. You will provide advice to the Principal Medical Officer to the Scottish Prison Service on prison psychiatry.

QUALIFICATIONS

You must be a fully registered medical practitioner in the UK. You will be a senior consultant psychiatrist with experience of court, prison and offender work, and be familiar with current Scottish working practice and mental health legislation. Thus it is essential that you have a special interest in and knowledge of forensic psychiatry. You will be a good team leader, able to sift information, formulate views, communicate clearly and work productively with the Scottish Government.

This appointment will involve regular travel throughout Scotland and to some areas not well served by public transport (from Inverness and Fort William in the north to Galashiels and Dumfries in the south).

ACCOUNTABILITY

You will be accountable to Dr Aileen Keel, Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

You will be seconded from the NHS and will be paid at a salary commensurate with your existing remuneration. Your current terms and conditions of service will continue.

Salary is paid monthly by credit transfer.

APPLICATION

Your details should reach Dr Aileen Keel by Friday 10 June 2011. Earlier receipt would be appreciated. If you would like to discuss the appointment in greater depth prior to applying please contact Dr Margaret Morrison.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Candidates who appear from the information available to have the best qualifications and experience will be invited to interview in Edinburgh. It is therefore essential for your application to give full but concise descriptions of the nature, level and extent of the responsibilities that you have held.

Yours sincerely

DR MARGARET MORRISON

Principal Medical Officer (Forensic Psychiatry)

Room 2N.01, St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.scotland.gov.uk / 

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