Website of the Department of Health

The Forensic Mental Health R&D Programme

The Programme funds research which supports the provision of mental health services for people with mental disorders who are offenders or at risk of offending. Services are provided in secure and community NHS and criminal justice settings. The patients, whether in prisons or NHS services include difficult, dangerous and/or extremely vulnerable people whose behaviours present a risk to themselves as well as others. They can be difficult to engage in assessment, treatment and research. Staff must meet the therapeutic needs of patients whilst addressing legal, security and public safety issues. Carrying out research in forensic mental health is therefore particularly challenging. The FMH R&D Programme has aimed to develop a critical mass of people at different stages of an academic career through its fellowship and primary research programmes. It is hoped that the support of researchers on a national basis will provide a foundation on which to build future research capacity and capability in this area. Professor Clair Chilvers is the Programme Director and the Programme's Advisory Committee is chaired by Professor Keith Soothill.

• The Forensic Mental Health R&D Programme (opens new window)
• National Personality Disorder Website (opens new window)