Local Community

The State Hospital has two twin aims: Care & Treatment and Public Safety.

The State Hospital is unique in that the general public do not directly access its services as patients are admitted (detained) under mental health legislation. However, there is a duty to keep external stakeholders informed of activity and decisions not only through the Board’s Annual Review process but through regular communications that are clear and understandable.  This includes information on who we are, what we do, and how we do it as well as enhancing awareness and understanding of forensic mental health issues.

Interaction between the State Hospital, local community, and the general public is significantly different to a traditional NHS board. The public / interested parties can engage with the State Hospital through a number of avenues including the State Hospital’s website, social media channels, attendance at Board meetings and Annual Review meetings, and through presentations delivered to local community groups by staff.

The State Hospital’s website in particular remains a quality key communication tool in order to achieve this for the general public and other external stakeholders.  It enables the Hospital to report on performance against targets and objectives, and ensure legislative requirements are met such as those related to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, and the Equalities Act 2010.

Note! Given the nature and organisational arrangements of the Board, patients are uniquely viewed as internal communication stakeholders in addition to Non-Executive Directors, Volunteers, the Spiritual & Pastoral Care Team, Advocacy and staff. Carers, the public and the media are included within external communication arrangements.

Community Engagement 

The State Hospital is committed to delivering its existing statutory duties for community engagement to ensure services are developed which are effective, safe, value-for-money and meet the needs of those involved. The Board firmly believes that greater participation brings better outcomes all round. 

Our current Security Refresh Project demonstrates our commitment to public safety, and the need to maintain a modern, effective, and robust security infrastructure. The project relates to a number of security enhancements that are being implemented including the upgrade of CCTV and the extension of detection systems.

Talks to the Local Community

Upon request, the State Hospital will deliver a presentation / talk to local community groups. These focus on who we are, what we do, and how we do it. Just email tsh.comms@nhs.scot 

Public Safety

The likelihood of any event affecting public safety is low.  Security is a key aspect of the service provided by the Hospital and forms an integral part of the clinical care provided. Contingency planning forms our security arrangements and involves multi-agency exercises being held every three years with partner organisations such as the police, fire and ambulance service.  Additionally, a review of policy, practice and physical security takes place every year by an expert in physical security. 

If we are experiencing an incident, we will be in regular contact with the local media.  You should listen to your local radio station for regular updates.   National television may also provide coverage. We will provide regular information via a recorded message. Just call the Incident Helpline on 01555 840762 for the latest information. Please do not call our main switchboard as we need to keep these lines free.

The State Hospital siren is used to alert and warn both the local community and staff in the event of a patient being unaccounted for. Read the information sheet below to find out more:

UK Terror Threat – ‘Level Substantial’

The UK terror threat level is ‘substantial’. This means that ‘an attack is still likely’. Although there is no known specific threat to the NHS, and we continue to deliver business as usual, security has been enhanced. Staff and visitors have been advised to be extra vigilant. You can help by raising any concerns or reporting any suspicious activity to our Security Department on telephone 01555 840293. Thank you. Note: The Scottish Government has produced the following two leaflets for the public.

General Queries or Concerns

If you have any general queries or concerns relating to security or safety, please call our main switchboard on telephone number 01555 840293 and ask to be put through to a Security Manager.