Forensic Governance Advisory Group minutes: 20 February 2025

Attendees and apologies

Present

• Ms Esther Roberton (Chair)
• Dr Ian Dewar
• Mr Jim Cannon

In attendance

• Ms Jennifer Brady

Items and actions

Welcome

Advisory Group members took the opportunity to meet before a scheduled meeting they had in the Beckford Lodge that afternoon. 

The Chair welcomed the group and set the direction of the session advising it would focus on discussing thoughts on a proposed way forward.

Engagement plan

The Chair gave an update on meetings that had taken place the previous week including meetings with VoX and National Services Scotland.

The group agreed that engagement is nearing an end but there are a number of people they would still like to meet out with forensic services based on their experience of system change and wider governance and planning.

The chair provided an update on upcoming visits, including one in the afternoon with the Beckford Lodge and one later in the month at Blair Unit in Aberdeen.

Action: Stakeholder meetings and advisory group meetings to continue to be scheduled as part of the engagement plan.

Governance model discussion 

The Chair took the members through her thoughts on the way forward which included considering the options within the Terms of Reference. Detailed discussions ensued on the feasibility of each option and the potential impacts on forensic mental health services. The group explored a suitable model however agreed further discussion was needed to tease out certain pressure points.

A discussion took place on the draft final report and all members agreed to send the secretariat their notes for inclusion.

Action: All members to send notes for draft final report. 
Action: Secretariat to circulate draft report.

Any other busineess (AOB) 

The group agreed to meet online on 24th February to go through diary and meeting schedule. The next in person group meeting will be arranged at this meeting.

The Chair drew the meeting to a close, thanking members for attendance.

Action: Group members to provide updated availability for March/April.