Higher Training Post
Post Description
ST6 – Forensic Psychiatry / Base Address
Scott Clinic
Rainhill Road
St. Helens, Merseyside
WA9 5BD
Educational Supervisor:
Dr. Jennie McCarthy
Supervising Consultant:
Dr. Jennie McCarthy / Consultant Secretary contact details:
Deana Huizer 0151-431-5159
Description of Service
The Regional Forensic Service provides a comprehensive service to Merseyside and Cheshire for Mentally Disordered Offenders and others displaying similar behaviours. Forensic Psychiatry sessions are also provided to two local prisons. Forensic mental health assessment and rehabilitation.Services include in-patient and outpatient care, assessments for opinion, admission and gatekeeping. There is also a Forensic Personality Disorder Service providing specialist assessment and liaison.
There is a new 10 bedded step down unit on the Scott Clinic Site providing non-secure rehabilitation for patients leaving secure care.
SCOTT CLINIC - MEDIUM SECURE UNIT
The Scott Clinic [named after the late Dr Peter Scott, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist], is purpose built and was designed by the Regional Architect at a cost of £1.8 million to provide facilities for 50 patients located in five wards whose functions are defined as:
Ivy Ward-Admission/Rehabilitation (men)
Hawthorn Ward-Admission/Rehabilitation (men)
Myrtle Ward-Low dependency/Pre-discharge (men)
Olive Ward-Pre-discharge/Low Dependency (men)
Poplar Ward-Admission/Rehabilitation (women)
Setting where work will be carried out
Inpatients work will be at the Scott Clinic, a 56 bedded medium secure unit.
Reed Lodge, step Down Unit.
Outpatient work will take place at the Mersey Forensic Psychiatry Service Outpatient Department at 36 Rodney Street, LiverpoolL1 1AA.
Regular sessions will take place at HMP Liverpool or at HMP Altcourse.
The trainee will undertake assessments for opinion and for admission at a variety of locations, including the outpatient clinic, general adult psychiatric units, Special Hospitals, Low secure Services and prisons.
General Overview of Training Experience
There will be an expectation that you attend local postgraduate teaching programmes, as well as specific programmes that are available.
  • Hospital Teaching Program/ Regional Forensic Training Programme
  • Opportunities exist to attend other Academic meetings/relevant courses.
  • Individual supervision – weekly 1 hour by Dr. McCarthy
  • Opportunities exist for training with the Clinical Psychologist
  • Opportunities to gain knowledge of Mental Health Act (1983) and Mental Capacity Act (2005).
  • Opportunity and supervision is available to undertake an audit project.
Responsibilities of Trainee
  • Assessment and management of service users within a medium secure hospital setting/ Step down facility
  • Assessment of referrals from General Adult Psychiatry/other services of individuals in other in-patient settings or in the community.
  • Risk Assessment work.
  • Involvement in multi-agency risk management planning as necessary.
  • Regular input into local prisons for assessment and management of individuals with mental health problems.
  • Emergency assessment of individuals referred from police custody or in the community.
On Call Information
9.00 pm – 9.00 am weekdays compensatory rest is available if required and 9.00 am – 9.00 am (25 hours) on weekends.
1 in 5 on-call rota covering Scott Clinic inpatients (2nd on-call to ST3) and emergency referral for admission to Merseyside/Cheshire catchment area.

Please see the Handbook for your area at:

Trainee timetable:

Day / AM / PM
Monday / HMP Liverpool (Clinic/ Single Point Referral Meeting)
Alt weeks / Admin
Tuesday / Inpatient CTM/CPA
Alt weeks / Ward work
Wednesday / Opinion/ Admission assessments / Referrals meeting
In-service training
Supervision
Thursday / Opinion/Admission assessments / Admin
Friday / Special interest / Research