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Welcome and Overview

‘Although The State Hospital shares the same values, aims and challenges as the rest of the NHS in Scotland, it is unique because it has the dual responsibility of caring for very ill, detained patients as well as protecting them, the public and staff from harm.’

In 1994 legislation went through Parliament to bring The State Hospital legally into the National Health Service in Scotland as a Special Health Board - The State Hospitals Board for Scotland - accountable to Scottish Ministers through the Scottish Government.

The State Hospital is one of four high secure hospitals in the UK. It is a national service for Scotland and Northern Ireland and one part of the pathway of care that should be available for those with secure care needs.

Approximately 700 staff are employed by the Board to provide high secure forensic mental health services for up to 140 patients.

The purpose is both to provide care and treatment of the highest standards and to ensure public safety.

The State Hospital has five strategic aims: modernising service delivery; improving physical health; effective use of resources; pathways for access, treatment and transfer; and improving the quality of patient care and drives forward the quality improvement agenda in line with the NHSScotland Healthcare Quality Strategy.

The main aim is to rehabilitate patients, ensuring safe transfer to appropriate lower levels of security.

The State Hospital is located in Lanarkshire in central Scotland, midway between the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Hospital has been rebuilt to ensure patients are treated in accommodation appropriate to their needs and in an environment that supports rehabilitation.

Partnership working with South Lanarkshire Council is well established and provides social work services for patients and their families in addition to liaising with patients’ designated Mental Health Officers (MHOs) across the country.

Given that the patients do not have access to other services or communities, the Hospital addresses all of their needs (e.g. therapeutic, vocational, social and physical wellbeing) via a range of therapeutic, educational, diversional and recreational services including a Health Centre.

The Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care Network (Forensic Network) is hosted by The State Hospital.

Well developed relationships exist with the Mental Health Tribunal Service for Scotland and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, and good partnership working is in place across the Forensic Network to ensure these patients are transferred as required.

The State Hospital is a totally smoke free environment.

 

Modernising Service Delivery

'Modernisation has made a tremendous difference to the Hospital's patients, services and quality of care.'

A new Hospital and a new model of care have been delivered in line with the work of the Forensic Network and the requirements of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

The full business case for the re-development of the State Hospital was approved by the Scottish Government in September 2007, with construction commencing on site in April 2008.

Contract - Skanska (2008)

Full Business Case for the Re-development of the Hospital (September 2007)

Outline Business Case (May 2006)

Initial Agreement (May 2003)

Construction of the new State Hospital at Carstairs in Lanarkshire was celebrated with Shona Robison, MSP, Minister for Public Health cutting the first sod on site on 29 April 2008.

Under the contract, Skanska has built 19,000m2 of new wards and facilities, as well as refurbishing a further 1,500m2.

The project came second place, and was awarded a 'high commendation' in the '2010/11 Skanska UK Project of the Year' awards.

The completion of Phase I in 2009/10 - with the commissioning of the Skye Centre (for patient therapy and activity) and the Essential Services buildings - was just the first step in this exciting journey for patients and staff.

Phase 2 construction of the new State Hospital took major strides forward during 2010/11 with the wards (hubs and clusters), Family Centre and Reception buildings all taking shape.

The new Hospital became fully operational in September 2011 marking the end of a programme of investment in modern healthcare accommodation for individuals with mental disorder who, because of their dangerous, violent or criminal propensities, cannot be cared for in any other setting.

With 140 high-secure beds for male patients requiring maximum secure care; 12 specifically for patients with a learning disability, the new State Hospital has the tools for the delivery of a sustainable, high quality, cost effective service providing specialist care that matches individual needs in a high secure setting and levels of security.

The State Hospital continues to be the national resource for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Reconfiguration of the site has enabled the Hospital to maximise its desired service model based on multi-disciplinary Clinical Teams organised around patient care and need. Workforce plans have been developed based on this model, identifying future skill requirements for each team.

 

A Smoke Free Environment

The State Hospital is a comprehensive smoke free environment. See the Hospital's Case Study (February 2012) which provides an account of the journey undertaken to become smoke free.

 

Security

Security and the safety of patients, staff and the public always play a central role in the Hospital’s activities.

The secure environment at the Hospital is provided via physical, procedural and relational security. The physical security of the Hospital continues to be a major focus of attention, requiring regular review and investment.

Comprehensive contingency arrangements remain appropriate and relevant reflecting the potentially serious nature of emergency situations which could arise within the State Hospital environment. The Hospital has fully developed these arrangements in partnership with other agencies. These are rigorously tested, monitored and reviewed on a recurring basis.

The State Hospital and your Local Siren (August 2003)

 

Sustainability

See Environmental Information

 

Forensic Network

The State Hospital is one part of the pathway of care that should be available for those with secure care needs. There is a national drive to provide a modern service which meets the needs of patients, protects staff and the public, and enables patients to move on from The State Hospital to more appropriate local care as they recover from their illness.

The Forensic Network is led by the Hospital’s Chief Executive, Andreana Adamson. It was established in 2003 to oversee the development of forensic services across the country; to develop systems to improve patient pathways and information sharing; and to establish training, education and research in the field of forensic mental health.

The Forensic Network is multi-agency and multi-disciplinary in its approach, with strong links with the Scottish Prison Service, Social Work Services, Police and Criminal Justice Agencies.

The State Hospital’s contribution to the Forensic Network continues to develop and embed across forensic services in all areas. There is active representation on all regional planning groups and specific work continues to develop the capacity and capability of staff in the delivery of specialist
services.

Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care Network (link to Website)

 

Successes

The Hospital has achieved a number of major awards:

• The Eat Safe Award for Excellence in Food Hygiene.

• The Healthy Living Award for Promoting Healthy Eating.

• The Health Facilities Scotland's, Innovations Award and "The Paul Taylor" overall winner award.

• The Investing in Volunteers (IiV) quality mark.

• The Healthy Working Lives prestigious Gold Award and the Mental Health & Wellbeing Commendation Award.

 

QUICK LINKS

All State Hospital Fact Sheets A review and update of these Fact Sheets, and all other State Hospital publications, is currently underway in light of the rebuild (new Hospital buildings) and new Clinical Model (way of working).

The State Hospital's Choice and Medication Website provides comprehensive information and advice on mental health conditions and medication.

Corporate Governance Documentation

 

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