Written by experts in the growing field of forensic mental health care, this book explores current and emerging interventions in forensic nursing and the care of the mentally disordered offender, with an emphasis on clinical practice and clinical competence. It explores the practical issues facing forensic nurses, such as environment and safety issues, as well as the possible emotional trauma of such a role. It examines a range of intervention strategies, such as exercise, which has often been used as an occupational time-filler, but also offers real therapeutic benefits. The contributors cover a range of diverse perspectives from the care of women in secure services, severely assaultive patients and sex offenders, the role of inpatient therapy and nurse therapists and the importance of spiritual nursing and educational interventions. The book also examines the client group itself and considers new roles for nurses in the light of recent research.

The contributors to this volume take a wide-ranging approach, providing a comprehensive overview of current and future therapeutic interventions for forensic mental health care. Therapeutic Interventions for Forensic Mental Health Nurses is essential reading for all practitioners, nurses and educators in the forensic nursing field.

Foreword, Malcolm Rae. 1. Introduction, Alyson M. Kettles, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Phil Woods, University of Manchester and Mick Collins, Rampton Hospital Authority. 2. The implications of clinical governance for forensic nursing, John Gibbon, Rampton Hospital Authority and Alyson M. Kettles, Royal Cornhill Hospital. 3. Exploring the interface of competence and clinical effectiveness, Carol Watson, The State Hospital Carstairs. 4. Nursing interventions and future directions with patients who constantly break rules and test boundaries, Penny E. Schafer, University of Saskatchewan. 5. Using psychoeducational interventions within an integrated psychological approach to forensic mental health and social care, Stephan D. Kirby, St Lukes Hospital and Dennis Cross, School of Health, University of Teesside. 6. Nursing interventions and future directions with the severely mentally ill, Paula Ewers, Scott Clinic and Paul Ikin, Scott Clinic. 7. Nursing interventions and future directions with severely assaultive patients, Mark Chandley, Ashworth Hospital Authority. 8. Nursing interventions and future directions with exercise therapy, Lesley Adams, Royal Cornhill Hospital. 9. Nursing interventions and future directions with women in secure services, Anne Aiyegbusi, Ashworth Hospital Authority. 10. Nurse therapy in forensic mental health, Paul Rogers, Glanrhyd Hospital and Kevin Gournay, Institute of Psychiatry. 11. Nursing interventions and future directions with sex offenders, Mary Addo, Royal Cornhill Hospital. 12. Socially constructed narrative interventions: a foundation for therapeutic alliances Stephan D. Kirby, St Lukes Hospital and Dennis Cross, School of Health, University of Teesside. 13. Spiritual care in forensic nursing: spiritual interventions and future directions for care, John Swinton, King's College, University of Aberdeen. 14. Nursing interventions and future directions in community care for mentally disordered offenders, Helen Edment, Glasgow Forensic Outreach Team. 15. Forensic nursing interventions and future directions for forensic mental health practice, Phil Woods, University of Manchester, Mick Collins, Rampton Hospital Authority and Alyson M. Kettles, Royal Cornhill Hospital. References. Index.