Publish date: 20 November 2024
West London NHS Trust recently played a pivotal role in supporting Taiwan’s development of forensic psychiatry services.
Earlier this year, a delegation of Taiwanese clinicians visited the Trust, including Broadmoor Hospital and the West London Forensic Service, as part of their efforts to establish a new in-patient facility.
Building on this collaboration, Dr Robert Bates, the Trust’s Clinical Director for High Secure Services (HSS) was invited to speak at the International Forensic Psychiatric Conference in Taiwan.
Organised by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, the conference welcomed clinicians and officials from Taiwan, South East Asia, Germany, and the USA.
Dr Bates delivered talks on the:
- Development and structure of forensic services in England and Wales
- The High Secure Clinical Model
- The future of forensic services in the UK.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr Bates said, "It was fascinating to learn about forensic services in other countries and to impart some of the lessons that we have learnt whilst redeveloping Broadmoor Hospital and our Clinical Model. The Taiwanese were extremely hospitable and made me feel very welcome."
This collaboration has further deepened ties between West London NHS Trust and Taiwan. Currently, three Taiwanese nursing staff are seconded to Broadmoor Hospital, working closely with the Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) department and on the wards.
Their involvement highlights the shared commitment to exchanging knowledge and advancing forensic psychiatry services.