Forensic telepsychiatry

We read the article by Jones et al on setting up a telepsychiatry service (Psychiatric Bulletin, December 2006, 30, 464-467) with interest and optimism, having developed the first forensic telepsychiatry service in Nottinghamshire in 2005 (Saleem & Stankard, 2006). To date, we have undertaken 30 forensic assessments, 4 of which have resulted in hospital admissions. Assessments were primarily undertaken using existing video-link facilities within local magistrates’ courts and HM prisons. Our experiences support the opinion that this saves time, cost (Zollo et al, 1999) and improves access to psychiatric services (Zaylor et al, 2000).

However, although Jones et al describe the development of services, they do not state whether they have assessed patients themselves using videoconferencing facilities. If they have, it would be useful to establish links between telepsychiatric services within the UK, forensic or otherwise.

At the College's invitation, we are conducting a workshop on this subject in Prague, at the Annual Meeting of the Forensic Faculty in February 2007. We have also developed a forensic telepsychiatric steering group, with a research sub-committee, in Nottingham. We are coordinating several research projects which are exploring the use of teleconferencing facilities within forensic psychiatry. We would welcome any additional views and opinions on expanding this work.

It is crucial for services across the UK to share experiences and promote practices. The promotion of telepsychiatry has the potential to change current practice positively. This is particularly important if we are to succeed in delivering timely, easily accessible and clinically sound psychiatric services, with the additional spotlight on cost-efficiency with respect to health service delivery.