The State Hospital is a high secure forensic hospital and does not provide a direct service to the general public. The State Hospital provides a service to patients admitted under The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 / 2015 and other related legislation. If you need to get help for your mental health then contact your GP or if unavailable NHS24 by calling 111.
Welcome and Overview
In this section:
Although The State Hospital shares the same values, aims and challenges as the rest of the NHS in Scotland, it is unique because it has the dual responsibility of caring for very ill, detained patients as well as protecting them, the public and staff from 
harm.’
In 1994 legislation went through Parliament to bring The State Hospital legally into the National Health Service in Scotland as a Special Health Board - The State Hospitals Board for Scotland - accountable to Scottish Ministers through the Scottish Government.
The State Hospital is one of four high secure hospitals in the UK. Located in South Lanarkshire in central Scotland, it is a national service for Scotland and Northern Ireland and one part of the pathway of care that should be available for those with secure care needs. The principal aim is to rehabilitate patients, ensuring safe transfer to appropriate lower levels of security.
There are 140 high-secure beds (plus four beds for emergency use) for male patients requiring maximum secure care: 12 beds specifically for patients with an intellectual disability. A range of therapeutic, educational, diversional and recreational services including a Health Centre is provided.
Partnership working with South Lanarkshire Council is well established and provides social work services for patients and their families in addition to liaising with patients’ designated Mental Health Officers (MHOs) across the country.
The Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care Network (Forensic Network)
is hosted by The State Hospital.
Well developed relationships exist with the Mental Health Tribunal Service for Scotland and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, and good partnership working is in place across the Forensic Network to ensure these patients are transferred as required.
Vision
“To excel in the provision of high secure forensic mental health services, to develop and support the work of the Forensic Network, and to strive at being an exemplar employer.”
Values and Aims
The State Hospital has adopted the core values of NHSScotland which are:
- Care and compassion.
- Dignity and respect.
- Openness, honesty and responsibility.
- Quality and teamwork.
Primary twin aims are:
- Provision of high quality, person centred, safe and effective care and treatment.
- Maintenance of a safe and secure environment that protects patients, staff and the public.
Patients
Patients are admitted to the Hospital under The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 / 2015 and other related legislation because of their dangerous, violent or criminal propensities.
Patients without convictions will have displayed seriously aggressive behaviours, usually including violence.
During 2020/21 there were 36 patient admissions and
35 patient discharges.
Around 73% of patients are ‘restricted’ patients within the jurisdiction of Scottish Ministers. That is a patient who because of the nature of his offence and antecedents, and the risk that as a result of his mental disorder he would commit an offence if set at large, is made subject to special restrictions without limit of time in order to protect the public from serious harm. This number also includes patients undergoing criminal court proceedings who are also subject to the supervision of the Scottish Ministers.
All patients are male, with an average age of 39. The most common primary diagnosis is schizophrenia. The average length of stay is just over five years, with
individual lengths of stay ranging from less than one
month to over 33 years.
Staff
As at 31 March 2021, The State Hospital employed
653 staff (576.87 wte) within its 60-acre campus.
“The State Hospital provides the skills, culture, rehabilitation ethos and fit-for-purpose physical facilities necessary for high quality care of forensic patients.”
Wards are in four units (hubs and clusters) with each unit comprising three 12-bedded areas (i.e. 36 beds per hub). Clinical team offices, admin support and staff facilities are provided within an office accommodation block in each unit to facilitate multi-disciplinary engagement. An activity hub in each unit allows wards to share a range of facilities including day spaces, group treatment / therapy facilities and multi-function spaces. All wards have domestic kitchens and laundry areas that support patients in maintaining and developing activities of daily living skills. Privacy and dignity is promoted with en suite facilities for all patients and the facility to have a key to their bedroom. Patients are able to access outdoor spaces including ward gardens and hub gardens.
All patient therapy and activity is under the one roof within the Skye Centre. The Family Centre for child visiting reflects the needs of patients, carers and children.
All facilities have a functional design to maximise observation, and optimise safety and security, whilst maintaining a therapeutic balance.
The Hospital has achieved a number of major awards:
-
The State Hospital has won the 2021 Mental Health 'Innovations in Education' Award for developing and delivering bespoke ‘dementia care in high secure care’ training. This national award by the Mental Health Nursing Forum Scotland marks the highest level of achievement in mental health nursing.
-
The State Hospital’s Finance Team has won the 2021 national Board award for the Best Finance Team who multi-task, work well as a team, and have a successful and positive approach.
-
Medical Education! The award of a Good Practice Recognition from NHS Education for Scotland for the training provided to Core Trainees was won by The State Hospital in 2020/21 for the second consecutive year.
- State Hospital Wins Psychiatric Team of the Year Award for Quality Improvement (November 2020)
- Healthy Retail Standard.
- Eat Safe Award for Excellence in Food Hygiene.
- Healthyliving Award Plus for Promoting Healthy Eating.
- Healthy Working Lives Gold Award.
State Hospital 'About Us' (general information - Communications) February 2021.