Forensic Research Psychiatry Society - Minutes of Meeting November 2004

Forensic
Psychiatry
Research
Society

MINUTES of the Forensic Psychiatry Research Society

held on 7th November 2008
London
1.		Present: Dr Tim Amos, Dr Seena Fazel, Professor Don Grubin, Dr Nicola Swinson and Dr Lindsay Thomson Apologies: Dr Harry Kennedy, Professor Jenny Shaw, Professor Pamela Taylor
2.		Minutes of last meeting 17/4/08 - approved
3.		Committee Membership LT stated that she had been Chair of FPRS for 5 years now. FPRS has an established programme of meetings, an up-to-date website and is regularly consulted on issues pertaining to forensic psychiatry and research. She therefore feels that it is time for her to stand down and to allow "new blood" to take FPRS forward. It was agreed that LT would send a letter/email to all members inviting expressions of interest, and that a new chair would be finalised at the FPRS meeting in Barcelona. In the event that there are a number of nominations, an email/postal vote will be held. Nicola Swinson informed the Committee that she has just obtained her first Consultant post and will therefore be standing down as SpR representative. It was agreed that Dr Louise Robinson would raise this issue at the annual forensic higher trainee conference in Manchester on 13-14 November 2008. Action: 1. LT to send out letter/email 2. New SpR representative
4.		Accounts A formal account will be placed before the FPRS meeting in Barcelona. Action: Obtain draft programme to find and publicise suitable slot for FPRS business meeting - LT.
5.		Future Programme A business meeting will be held at the Forensic Faculty Conference in Barcelona, February 2009. Dr Tim Amos confirmed his offer to host an FPRS meeting in Bristol in Spring 2009. November 2009 - London meeting. The Danish visitors are due again at this stage. Action: Fix date with Tim Amos - Sheila McLennan Contact Peter Kramp and ask for date of Danish visitors in Nov 09 - Sheila McLennan
6.		Promotion of Research Skills Workshop 2009 No further progress had been made on this. Clear ideas were noted in the previous meeting in April 2008. It was suggested that this could be hosted around the time of the IAFMHS 2009 Conference in Edinburgh (23/6/09?). Action: LT to write to Professor Pamela Taylor
7.		Forensic Mental Health Research It was noted that LT had written to Stuart Bell and had further correspondence with Gill Mezey regarding the promotion of forensic mental health research and funding.
8.		Similarly the Department of Health have requested research proposal reviews from FPRS members, specifically in that role.
9.		Dearth of monies for forensic psychiatry research. Written update provided by Professor Pamela Taylor. "I have nothing useful to say on funding for forensic psychiatry (or mental health) research. It remains difficult in our country and is, perhaps, even worse elsewhere in Europe. Our strategic review of secure services in Wales is about to be published, but I am hardly optimistic that that will bring research money. One or two of us are continuing to explore the possibility of setting up a dedicated charity, but few grounds for optimism yet!"
10.		Royal College of Psychiatrist Website FPRS have been asked to provide the forensic research page for this website. LT is organising this. Action: LT will write to members asking for contacts and web links for each academic unit.
11.		AOB The International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services is holding its annual conference in Edinburgh between 24-26 June 2009 (workshops 23/6/09). Abstracts have to be submitted by 5/12/08. Members are encouraged to put forward ideas. LT chairs the Programme Committee. LT had been approached by a student seeking a PhD. Details can be obtained from LT if anyone is interested. SF raised the issue of co-option of the Chair of FPRS to the Forensic Faculty Committee. This was supported. LT highlighted recent problem of communication between the Forensic Faculty and FPRS. She was not notified of the call for workshops for the Barcelona conference and nor were several other members of the Committee. This has prevented our usual workshop as there were 25 applications for 12 slots. Action: LT will write to the chair of the Forensic Faculty with this suggestion.
12.		Date and Time of Next Meeting Forensic Faculty Conference, Barcelona 4-6 February 2009. Action: Suitable slot for FPRS business meeting to be identified - LT.