ABSTRACT
Forensic mental health services are most commonly described in terms of their security, and indeed this may be the characteristic that most distinguishes them from their generic counterparts. An important feature of effective treatment within a forensic mental health framework is effective multidisciplinary/multiprofessional working both in creating and maintaining a safe therapeutic milieu and delivering specific treatments. An ongoing ‘care versus control’ debate therefore remains important for ensuring that the principles for practice remain fresh. Most forensic mental health services have occupational therapists as essential members of the clinical team, helping to ensure the treatment milieu as well as offering specific therapeutic initiatives, but few have speech and language therapists. A healthy diet and exercise are important for reducing the risk of chronic disease and increasing general wellbeing, and most developed countries have begun to acknowledge and adopt strategies in line with World Health Organization recommendations.
