News and Features
(11 items total, showing 1 to 10)
Forum Appointments
Published: 17 October 2011
Appointments to Forum Committee James Mullins – Integrated clinical lead (Bedfordshire forensic mental health services) has recently been appointed to the Nursing in Criminal Justice Services Forum. I began my nursing career as a health care assistant at the age of 16. Working at local elderly nursing homes, I gained essential experience before embarking on my registered adult nurse training at Edinburgh’s Napier University in 2000. On completion of a Diploma in Adult Nursing, I worked as a staff nurse at the department of Clinical Neurosciences at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital. In 2004, I began a Bachelor of mental health nursing degree, again studying at Napier University. At this time I also took a role as a senior staff nurse at one of Europe’s leading private addictions clinics, Castle Craig Hospital near Edinburgh. I worked at Castle Craig for two years, an experience that involved caring for individuals from such diverse backgrounds as members of the royal family and MP’s to those affected by homelessness. My secure experience began when I was appointed to the post of substance misuse clinical nurse specialist at HMP Bedford in November 2006. I was later appointed to the post as Head of the Mental Health Inreach Service at HMP Bedford in February 2008. Employed in this role by South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, I oversaw the development of mental health services to prisoners at HMP Bedford and tailored the practice to suit the needs of a busy remand population. I began my current role as Clinical lead for forensic mental health services in August 2011. This has given me a wider countywide role that includes provision of services at HMP Bedford, Robin Pinto Low secure unit & Community forensic mental health team. I also have a position of visiting lecturer to the University of Bedfordshire and teach on the ‘Care of mentally disordered offenders’ whilst also providing training to various criminal justice agencies. I have been published in both the Care programme approach journal, ‘The Approach’ and the ‘Mental health practice’ nursing journal. I was also Highly Commended by the Care programme approach association awards in 2010 in the category of ‘Excellence in CPA policy and practice standards’ and again in 2011 for the category of ‘Best example of an electronic care plan’.
Join the forum steering committee
Published: 15 July 2011
We have one vacancy on the Nursing in Criminal Justice Services Forum Steering Committee this year. The forum welcomes applications for this voluntary post from members across the UK to help us shape policy and develop practice.
Offender Health Standard for Prison MHA Training
Published: 13 June 2011
Offender Health Standard for Prison MHA Training
UKAFN conference 2011
Published: 13 June 2011
United Kingdom Association of Forensic Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Following a highly successful inaurgural conference in Liverpool, we aim to continue with an equally exciting conference on 17th September 2011. Our 2011 conference intends to look at the suspect’s journey following a sexual assault. This will include forensic evidence collection, documentation of injuries; the custody suite and suicide risk of detainees and explore the victims perspective following such an assault. Our speakers include a Psychotherapist, a Forensic Scientist, a Forensic physician and also a Victim of sexual assault, will be able to pass on a wealth of knowledge and experience to attendees. For further information please download a copy of the Forensic Practice –The Suspects Journey 17th September 2011 conference flyer.
"Positive Practice, Positive Outcomes"
Published: 13 June 2011
The Department of Health launched the "Positive Practice, Positive Outcomes" handbook on the 1st March 2011.
Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons
Published: 13 June 2011
NAT (National AIDS Trust) Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons A framework for best practice in the UK I am delighted to introduce this updated version of Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons - A framework for best practice in the UK. The original framework was published in 2007 and has had a considerable impact on the way that prisons approach blood-borne virus prevention and testing, as well as care for those living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Tackling blood-borne viruses is an important public health concern, and investing in appropriate services will ensure long-term cost-effectiveness. With the significant changes we are seeing to the prison and health landscape, from the transformation of healthcare commissioning in England to the provision of prison healthcare in Scotland moving from the prison service to the NHS, it is more important than ever that the health needs of prisoners are met.
Use of force on children in custody
Published: 13 June 2011
Twisted: The use of force on children in custody the Howard League for Penal Reform This briefing examines the sanctioned use of force on children in custody and includes evidence from legal statements made by young people
Sustained investment needed in mental health services
Published: 31 May 2011
For immediate release: 25 May 2011 Sustained investment needed in mental health services - RCN The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (25 May) today called for sustained investment in mental health services, as it launched a new video promoting the outstanding work of nurses who work in the mental health sector. The five minute film, timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, features short clips with mental health nurses and service users discussing the huge importance of their work. At a time when the sector is facing frontline cuts to jobs and services, the RCN is urging the Government to ensure mental health services receive continued funding and resources. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: “People with mental health problems often require a huge range of support with their physical health, their work and their personal lives. This week is an excellent opportunity to highlight the enormous difference mental health services and nurses can make to those people’s lives. “However, we know that cuts are being made to mental health jobs and services, particularly alcohol and drug services. We are concerned that if this trend continues mental health services will be badly hit and this could jeopardise the improvements which have been made over the last ten years. We would urge the Government to ensure that continued investment is made so that people with mental health problems get the help they need and which we know improves many lives.” Angus Forsyth, one of the nurses interviewed, says in the film: “It gives me a tremendous source of satisfaction that by relating and understanding somebody, you can actually empower them and help them recover.” Service user Marion Janner says: “Mental health nursing is enormously demanding and complex and requires a whole batch of personal and professional qualities. It is very unfashionable to say they are angels but I think they are.” The video can be viewed at http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities/rcn_forum_communities/mental_health
Prison health to improve as result of national IT system
Published: 31 May 2011
Published date: 12 April 2011 Healthcare staff in prisons will be better placed to tackle the challenging health needs of prisoners as a result of a national prison healthcare IT system now installed in all prisons and young offender institutions across England. All clinicians now have ready access to up to date medical information making it less likely that the physical and mental health needs of prisoners and young offenders go undetected. Early intervention and preventative care will improve as healthcare staff have round the clock access to prisoners' medical history and current conditions at multiple sites within a prison. Prisoners will also benefit from improved continuity of care as they move between prisons, with medical records immediately and securely transferred from one prison to another. And staff are having to spend less time on administrative tasks – freeing up their time to concentrate on patient care. Over 5,000 healthcare staff are using the system at 136 English prisons and young offender institutions, including three immigration centres where the NHS is responsible for healthcare. The final prison to go operational with the system was HMP Feltham at the end of last month. Paul Burstow, Care Services Minister said: “This provides a firm foundation to take offender health forward in a digital age. The ability to access prisoners’ medical records when they are needed, from the first moment that they are received into a prison, is crucial to the delivery of effective healthcare. “This system is a worthwhile investment that will support healthcare professionals working in prisons in their very challenging roles.” Louis Appleby, National Clinical Director for Health in Criminal Justice said: “For healthcare staff working in this demanding field, using the same kind of technology that’s already established in general practice is crucial to improving their ability to provide safe and effective care. “Prisoners usually have complex and multiple healthcare problems, which are treated by different members of the healthcare team, so the system has a major role to play in supporting team-working and ensuring healthcare professionals are sighted on all aspects of the treatment being provided.” Sir Keith Pearson, Chair, National Advisory Group for Health and Criminal Justice said: “Effective information sharing is key to tackling the challenging healthcare needs of the offender population, and ensuring they get access to the right treatment, when they need it. This system in prisons sets the bar for ongoing work needed to improve the quality of data, records and information sharing right across the criminal justice system, in direct support of partnership working and the systematic assessment of a person's health needs. Improved continuity of care means that fewer people will fall through the cracks.” ENDS Notes to Editors: 1. The system, SystmOne Prison, is in operation across all 136 prisons in England including the three immigration centres providing NHS commissioned care. 2. SystmOne Prison, from software supplier TPP, is based on a leading GP system and has been developed over many years to meet the unique requirements of healthcare professionals working in prisons. Its use encompasses areas such as: admitting prisoners, transferring prisoners, prescribing and administering medication, clinical templates, clinic administration and security. 3. The Prison Health IT programme which has overseen the roll-out of the national clinical IT system is a team effort between NHS Connecting for Health and the Offender Health team at the Department of Health, SHAs, PCTs the National Offender Management Service and local service provider CSC and its software supplier TPP.
NICE guidance
Published: 19 April 2011
vulnerable groups questionnaire Preventing the progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes in vulnerable or disadvantaged adults
Appointments to Forum Committee
James Mullins – Integrated clinical lead (Bedfordshire forensic mental health services) has recently been appointed to the Nursing in Criminal Justice Services Forum.
I began my nursing career as a health care assistant at the age of 16. Working at local elderly nursing homes, I gained essential experience before embarking on my registered adult nurse training at Edinburgh’s Napier University in 2000.
On completion of a Diploma in Adult Nursing, I worked as a staff nurse at the department of Clinical Neurosciences at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital. In 2004, I began a Bachelor of mental health nursing degree, again studying at Napier University. At this time I also took a role as a senior staff nurse at one of Europe’s leading private addictions clinics, Castle Craig Hospital near Edinburgh. I worked at Castle Craig for two years, an experience that involved caring for individuals from such diverse backgrounds as members of the royal family and MP’s to those affected by homelessness.
My secure experience began when I was appointed to the post of substance misuse clinical nurse specialist at HMP Bedford in November 2006. I was later appointed to the post as Head of the Mental Health Inreach Service at HMP Bedford in February 2008.
Employed in this role by South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, I oversaw the development of mental health services to prisoners at HMP Bedford and tailored the practice to suit the needs of a busy remand population. I began my current role as Clinical lead for forensic mental health services in August 2011. This has given me a wider countywide role that includes provision of services at HMP Bedford, Robin Pinto Low secure unit & Community forensic mental health team.
I also have a position of visiting lecturer to the University of Bedfordshire and teach on the ‘Care of mentally disordered offenders’ whilst also providing training to various criminal justice agencies.
I have been published in both the Care programme approach journal, ‘The Approach’ and the ‘Mental health practice’ nursing journal. I was also Highly Commended by the Care programme approach association awards in 2010 in the category of ‘Excellence in CPA policy and practice standards’ and again in 2011 for the category of ‘Best example of an electronic care plan’.