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A Survey of Practice at a Regional Forensic Service: What Do Forensic Psychiatrists Do?

Part II: Treatment, Court Reports and Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Eric F. Mendelson*
Affiliation:
Knowle Hospital, Fareham, Hampshire PO17 5NA

Abstract

Nearly half of those seen in a forensic service were offered some form of help, but it did not reliably match that requested. In 63% of court reports there was no specific treatment recommendation, but where there was, it was likely to be accepted. Only one-third of all outpatients completed the treatment offered – 40% of the lapses were due to imprisonment. One-third of out-patient treatments were conducted under conditions of probation orders, and this form of compulsion was associated with a significantly higher number of completed treatment plans. Personality disorder was also associated with more treatment completions. These and other findings are discussed to assist in an understanding of the service.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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