Capita’s 3rd National Conference on Improving Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System – Thursday 18th October 2012 – Central London

Central London, United Kingdom, July 19, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Capita’s 3rd National Improving Mental Health Services in the Criminal Justice System Conference addresses the treatment of vulnerable offenders with mental health problems and how best to meet their care needs.

The Government has clearly outlined its commitment to improving liaison and diversion services. The transferral of commissioning responsibility for health services in police custody to the NHS and increased funding of £19.4 million for 2012-2013 will build an evidence base of effective liaison and diversion practice in custody suites and criminal courts. It is crucial for all stakeholders to assess their current practices to ensure early assessment and intervention, appropriate alternatives to custody and support for vulnerable offenders at all stages of the criminal justice system.

Leading on from Lord Bradley’s groundbreaking recommendations this conference addresses key issues including:

· Best practice approaches to liaison and diversion and the cost-benefit generated
· Effective support for vulnerable individuals including young offenders and those with additional alcohol and substance misuse problems
· Developing robust co-commissioning models for healthcare in police custody based on local needs assessment
· Collaborative working across agencies to deliver holistic joined up approaches to "revolving door" offenders

Join expert speakers and leading practitioners from across criminal justice and health services to explore how best to develop and embed effective offender mental healthcare at all stages of the offender pathway.

Speakers include:

Chair: Jenny Talbot OBE, Director of Care not Custody Programme, Prison Reform Trust

Richard Bradshaw, Director of Offender Health, Department of Health and National Offender Management Service (NOMS)

Dr Richard Byng, General Practitioner and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth University

Inspector Paul Lambotte, Custody Manager, Metropolitan Police Service

Julie Dhuny, Head of Commissioning, North East, Offender Health Commissioning Unit (NEOHCU), NHS County Durham and Darlington

Matt Patterson, Clinical Lead and Consultant Nurse, Manchester Offenders: Diversion Engagement Liaison Service (MO:Del), Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Elaine Weldon, Operational Manager, Youth Liaison and Diversion Scheme Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Website: http://www.capitaconferences.co.uk/public-sector-conferences/police-criminal-justice/full-conference/article/improving-mental-health-services-in-the-criminal-justice-system-conference.html?code=SMMK

Brochure: http://www.capitaconferences.co.uk/pdfgen.html?filename=Mental_Health_in_the_CJS_WOPDF.pdf&code=SMMK

For more information contact: Susannah Ellis: Susannah.ellis@capita.co.uk / 0207 202 0571