Centre of Excellence in Forensic Psychiatry Research

Centre of Excellence in Forensic Psychiatry Research

The Centre of Excellence in Forensic Psychiatry Research is a collaboration between the University of Nottingham’s Forensic Psychiatry & Applied Psychology division and the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University in Cairo, together with the Egyptian ministries of health, justice, and social services. The aim of the Centre is to develop guidance on the management of forensic-psychiatric patients, and ultimately to improve the health and well-being of long term incarcerated patients in Egypt’s forensic settings.

Mission statement

There are about 500 patients in forensic psychiatric care settings in Egypt, with about 10% of these patients granted discharge each year. Long-term incarceration in highly restrictive forensic settings affects the quality of life of patients and is expensive. Hence, it is paramount to develop evidence-based guidelines for practitioners and treatments for patients to improve their health and well-being and reduce their risk. With more effective interventions (i.e., standardized assessment, treatment and management) in place, patients’ length of stay is expected to reduce and community safety will improve.

Yet, there is currently no recognized training in forensic psychiatry or guidance on the assessment and treatment of forensic-psychiatric patients in Egypt. The new Centre of Excellence in Forensic Psychiatry Research will promote evidence based practice and aid policy makers in decision making in forensic psychiatric care in Egypt. We aim to develop evidence-based guidelines for practitioners to improve the health and quality of life of their patients, who are incarcerated on a long term basis. The work will also aid in policy-making to reduce patients’ risk, improve reintegration following their discharge, and address human rights issues in this patient group.

Summary of relevant work

A series of networking events, capacity building (through workshops and study visits), and pilot research will take place across both the UK and Egypt.

Key partners

  • University of Nottingham, UK
  • Ain Shams University, Egypt
  • Ministries of health, justice, and social services, Egypt

Funders

  • The British Council

Seeking collaboration with

Policy makers
Researchers

Details

Approach(es)
Training, education and capacity building
Treatment, care and rehabilitation
Disorder(s)
All mental health conditions
Region(s)
Middle East
Population(s)
Humanitarian and conflict health
Minority populations
Setting(s)
Community
Specialist care
Country(s)
Egypt
United Kingdom