News & Updates
Dr John Hope Henderson passed away on January 4th. If
any member would like to give a donation in memory of John or
indeed of Dr John Martin (recently retired Consultant in Ayrshire
and Arran, passed away in November 2009) or Professor Walter Muir
(Consultant in Learning Disability , Edinburgh, passed away 1
September 2009) then you can donate to the John Hope Henderson
foundation for Mental Health (donations payable to Shepherd and
Wedderburn LLP, c/o Malcolm Rust , Shepperd and Wedderburn , 1
Exchange Cres, Conference Sq, Edinburgh EH3 8UL)
Review of Mental Health Law Consultation
The above research report and research findings were published
on Tuesday 9 March. A link to these publications is given
below.
Report:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/03/04155611/0
Research Findings:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/03/04155521/0
GMC Virtual Hearing Room
A new initiative has been launched to provide more support
for those attending a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing into a
doctor’s fitness to practise. An online hearing
room allows patients, witnesses and doctors to take a virtual
step inside a hearing. The site includes virtual versions of
all those who might attend a hearing, such as lay and medical
members of the panel. All 12 of these characters can be clicked on
for an explanation of what role they play in a hearing. The
site also shows the reception area and waiting rooms for witnesses
and doctors so that anyone attending a hearing can arrive feeling
more comfortable with their surroundings.
The GMC is also launching a project to support
vulnerable witnesses. This project allows witnesses to come
into the GMC’s buildings in advance of the hearing and be
shown around. They can also ask to be joined by an independent
‘friend,’ assigned on the day of the hearing, to provide support.
The project builds on an existing section for witnesses on the GMC
website with photos of the building and information about the
processes which they can expect.
In addition the GMC has launched the
Information for doctors initiative. This involves the provision
of information to doctors whose cases are due to be considered by a
Fitness to Practice Panel on the GMC website as well as a booklet
about what to expect at a hearing.
News release: Monday 21st
December
Greenspace on referral an
effective support for mental health clients
Mental health services providers and
clinical practitioners across Scotland are being encouraged to
support greenspace referral programmes, following a successful
pilot in Glasgow, which used greenspace to improve the health and
wellbeing of adults with mental health problems.
Click here for more information on the project
RMO Forum held on Monday 26th October
2009
The Forum had been organised with a purpose of sharing
information on relevant legal and procedural matters in connection
with the Tribunal. The aim is to share information and
discuss any particular problems or difficulties.
The next meeting of the RMO Forum is to be held on 19th April
2010. For more information please contact Karen Addie at the
Scottish Division on Tel: 0131 220 2910 or email: kaddie@scotdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
Recorded Matters Final Report
The Tribunal was given the power to make recorded matters by the
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act
2003. This was a response to the Millan Committee’s
recommendation that new mental health legislation should express
the principle of reciprocity.
New legislation to tackle alcohol problems in
Scotland
A new Alcohol Bill aimed at tackling alcohol
problems in Scotland is to be published in November. The Bill is
expected to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol - a measure
supported by public health advocates, including the RCPsych
Scottish Division, as an effective means of reducing the health
damage due to alcohol use in this country. Fellows and members are
encouraged to express their individual support for minimum pricing
by contacting their local MSP. Details on how to contact local
MSPs, plus further information on the benefits of minimum pricing
can be found at Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems.
http://www.shaap.org.uk/pages/112,Minimum_Pricing_for_Alcohol.html
Concerns about money, relationships and health top people’s
worries for 2009
Samaritans urges people to not let their worries spiral out of
control and to seek support for emotional distress this Christmas
and during the coming year.
Nearly half the UK population (48%) has
worried this year about debt and money, according to a survey
published today by Samaritans and YouGov, with almost a quarter of
people (23%) describing 2009 as a bad year or their worst year
ever.
Click here to read the full article
Launch of new tutorials on GMP in Action website
The GMC has launched a new series of online tutorials that
tackle ethically challenging scenarios. The tutorials,
which include cases involving child protection, whistle
blowing and addiction have been added to those already
featured on GMP in Action, the
GMC’s interactive learning website. This popular online resource
explores common real-life medical and ethical dilemmas and explains
how doctors should tackle the issues using the core GMC
guidance, Good Medical Practice (GMP). To access
GMP in Action go
to www.gmc-uk.org/gmpinaction
Scottish intercollegiate guidelines network
(SIGN)
BACKGROUND
In 2001, SIGN published a guideline on the management of
attention deficit and hyperkinetic disorders (ADHD/HKD) in children
and young people (SIGN 52). Since then there have been advances in
both the range of medication available and the formulations of
existing medications. Interest in complementary and alternative
treatments has expanded and the role of diet and dietary
supplements has attracted attention.
This updated guideline provides new recommendations for
selection of medication and presents the current evidence base for
a range of complementary and alternative treatments in
ADHD/HKD.
Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland has
published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2008-09. The
document provides an overview of their work to safeguard some of
Scotland’s most vulnerable people. This includes details of:
Commission visits to mental health and
learning disability service users; provision of expert and advice
and promotion of best ethical, legal and professional practice;
investigations into deficiencies in the care and treatment of
individuals with a mental illness, learning disability, dementia or
other mental disorder
You can download the Annual Report and
Accounts at http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/newpublications/annual_reports1.asp
This year for the first time the Commission has moved to online
only presentation of data and analysis from its annual monitoring
of mental health and incapacity law. You will find key annual
monitoring data, alongside reports from a range of other monitoring
programmes at their ReportsHub - http://reports.mwcscot.org.uk/.
Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network
The Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network (SDCRN) has been
set up with the intention of spreading a culture of clinical
research in dementia across Scotland and improving recruitment from
both urban and rural areas. Their most current
newsletter is now available.
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Survey of Intensive
Psychiatric Care Units (IPCUS) Project Update now available
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) is undertaking a
project to profile IPCU provision across Scotland. In a parallel
piece of work NHS QIS is also seeking to gather the experiences of
current and past IPCU users and of their carers.
A one page project update is
available and if you would like any additional information
regarding the project please contact Jane Byrne.
We have now added a new webpage
regarding information on how to submit surveys and with links
to current ongoing surveys.
New Meetings Secretary
We now have a new Meetings Secretary. Dr Debbie Mountain (Royal
Edinburgh Hospital) has agreed to take this on. Dr
Margaret Semple has done a sterling job for the last 4 years
and we thank her for all her efforts. If you have ideas for meeting
topics or venues please let Debbie know through the office staff.
Audit Scotland Overview of mental health services report
An electronic copy of this report and
accompanying documents can be found on their website.
Website of Interest
- Hands on Scotland
A Toolkit of helpful responses to encourage
children and young people's emotional wellbeing
Scottish Council on
Deafness Workshops
Contact the Scottish Division office if you need posters or
postcards for the new campaign.
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About the Division
Welcome to the Scottish Division web page. The Scottish Division
has about 1080 Members, Fellows, Affiliates and Pre-Membership
Trainees. The administrative office of the Scottish Division is
located in Edinburgh at the Royal College of Physicians on Queen
Street.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is the main
decision-making body of the Scottish Division. All major issues of
policy are discussed at meetings and the Committee acts as a link
between Scottish Division members and the central College in
London.
The Executive Committee meets five times a
year and is made up of:
- 4 Elected Officers
- One appointed Meetings Secretary
- 12 elected members
- Representatives from all the
specialties
- Observers from the Scottish Executive and
Mental Welfare Commission
- Two representatives from the PTC
- One representative from the non-consultant
career grade doctors
- One representative for Workforce Planning
and training issues
- 2 Service User Representatives
- 1 Carer Representative
Executive Committee
Officers
Dr Peter Rice (Chairman)
Dr Linda Watt (Hon Secretary)
Dr Debbie Mountain (Meetings Secretary)
Dr Neill Simpson (Finance Officer)
Scottish Division Office Staff
Ms Karen Addie, Scottish Division Policy
Manager
Email: kaddie@scotdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
Karen’s responsibilities include:
- The Division’s communications with other
agencies, including the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on
Mental Health and the Scottish Government
- All press, media and public affairs
work
- Consultation responses and submitting them
by deadline
- Acting as liaison with the Policy Unit in
the College
- Acting as office manager and overseeing
other members of staff
Mrs Angela Currie, Scottish Division Senior
Administrator
(Wednesday -Friday )
email acurrie@scotdiv.rpcsych.ac.uk
Angela looks after the following areas:
- Executive Committee
- Regional Advisers Committee
- Distinction Awards Committee
- Retired Psychiatrists Group
- Sections of the Division Financial
monitoring
- Annual Scottish Division Fellowship
nominations
- Scottish Division Elections
- Scottish Division Meetings
- Mental Health Act Training (Section
22)
Mrs Claire Walker, Policy Administrator
(part-time)
(Monday-Wednesday)
Email:cwalker@scotdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
Claire is responsible for:
- Workforce Planning and the Annual
Census
- Providing support to the Sections of the
Division including organising conferences
- Assisting Karen with Policy and
Parliamentary duties
Scottish Division Committees
- Workforce Planning Group
- Regional Advisors Committee
- Public Affairs Committee
- Scottish Division Undergraduate Teaching
& Research Group
Scottish Division Sections
The following Sections organise a programme of
academic meetings:
Other groups
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Consultations
The Division is asked to respond to
consultation documents from the Scottish Executive and other
organisations in Scotland that seek advice from the College. For a
copy of a response to any consultation documents, email Karen Addie
Responses are currently being collected for the following active
consultations:
If you wish more information enable to provide a response
to any of these consultations please contact Karen Addie.
How to Contact Us
All Officers, Sections and Committees should be contacted via
the Scottish Division Office:
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Scottish Division
12 Queen Street (1st Floor)
Edinburgh
EH2 1JE
Tel: 0131 220 2910
Fax: 0131 220 2915
Further details about the Division, its
Executive Committee, future meetings and events can be obtained
from:
Karen Addie or Angela Currie at
kaddie@scotdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
or acurrie@scotdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
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