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South West Court Mental Health Assessment and Advice Pilot
The South West Health and Social Care in Criminal Justice (HSCCJ) Partnership Board are working with Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) to improve the service given to defendants appearing in court who are presenting as having mental health difficulties.
Although many requests are made by Magistrates' and Crown Courts for psychiatric opinions, few of these lead to disposals under the Mental Health Act 1983. Obtaining these reports is often a difficult and lengthy process, resulting in considerable frustration on the part of the courts and individuals spending unnecessarily long periods of time on remand.
In response to concerns from HMCS around obtaining mental health advice and reports that are timely, fit for purpose and within proportionate cost, a Framework document providing a template for a Service Level Agreement between HMCS, HM Prison Service, NHS Providers and, where applicable, Independent Providers of the required service has been developed.
The SW HSCCJ and South West Courts Service have won a bid to pilot the new Service Level Agreement with Bath and Bristol Magistrates' courts, and Bristol Crown Court over a two year period up to March 2008. This work will build on the experiences gained in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Court Services Area who have led this work in the South West.
Building on good practice examples, the Project Aims to improve the service provision for defendants with mental health problems in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Bristol and Bath magistrates' and Bristol Crown Court by:
For further information contact the project manager: sue.staddon@nimhesw.nhs.uk
The South West Health and Social Care in Criminal Justice (HSCCJ) Partnership Board are working with Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) to improve the service given to defendants appearing in court who are presenting as having mental health difficulties.
Although many requests are made by Magistrates' and Crown Courts for psychiatric opinions, few of these lead to disposals under the Mental Health Act 1983. Obtaining these reports is often a difficult and lengthy process, resulting in considerable frustration on the part of the courts and individuals spending unnecessarily long periods of time on remand.
In response to concerns from HMCS around obtaining mental health advice and reports that are timely, fit for purpose and within proportionate cost, a Framework document providing a template for a Service Level Agreement between HMCS, HM Prison Service, NHS Providers and, where applicable, Independent Providers of the required service has been developed.
The SW HSCCJ and South West Courts Service have won a bid to pilot the new Service Level Agreement with Bath and Bristol Magistrates' courts, and Bristol Crown Court over a two year period up to March 2008. This work will build on the experiences gained in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Court Services Area who have led this work in the South West.
Building on good practice examples, the Project Aims to improve the service provision for defendants with mental health problems in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Bristol and Bath magistrates' and Bristol Crown Court by:
- Developing and piloting a service which will assist the courts in accessing reliable, cost effective and timely assessment and advice when dealing with defendants with mental health problems.
- Improving the service user experience of assessment and access to appropriate services.
- Evaluating this service in both Magistrates and Crown court settings.
- Sharing the findings to inform service development across the South West and in other parts of the country.
- An improved service to courts in Hampshire and IOW, Bristol and Bath Magistrates and Bristol Crown Court.
- A clear Service Level Agreement.
- A Good Practice Guide for other areas.
- Reduction in the length of time defendants with mental health problems are remanded in custody.
- Improved links between relevant services.
- Reduction in the number of hospital transfers from prisons.
- Reduction in re-offending.
- More timely closure for victims.
- Reduction in Legal Services Commission expenditure on Mental Health assessments.
For further information contact the project manager: sue.staddon@nimhesw.nhs.uk