Former prison inspector to chair inquiry into Tayside mental health services

The chair of the independent inquiry into mental health services at NHS Tayside has been announced.

David Strang will look at how the health board's implementing recommendations.

Until last month, Mr Strang was the HM chief inspector of prisons for Scotland. He was previously Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.

The health board says today’s announcement marks the first key milestone for families.

NHS Tayside Chairman John Brown said, “I am very pleased that David has accepted the role of Chair of the independent inquiry. He has a wealth of experience that he will bring to the review and his appointment will assure not only the Board of NHS Tayside, but importantly all our stakeholders, that the inquiry will be open, honest, transparent and run with absolute integrity.

“We have taken the time to set up the independent inquiry with the full involvement of patients and families and it is thanks to them that we have made the appointment of the Chair today.

“Under the expert guidance of the ALLIANCE, who are driving and supporting public engagement in the inquiry, our patients, service users, families and third sector and charity colleagues have been able to play a critical role already.

“It is so important that the Chair of the inquiry has the support and confidence of all our stakeholders and therefore I am grateful to everyone who has played their part in getting us to this point.

“I have been very clear from the beginning that patients and families must have a strong voice and help shape what the inquiry will be looking at and I believe we are actively demonstrating our commitment to this. The next step is to ensure that the Terms of Reference of the inquiry are shaped and agreed by stakeholders and, again, the ALLIANCE will be leading on this under the leadership of the new Chair. Although the timescales for the inquiry will be agreed in the Terms of Reference, it would be our intention that there is an interim report provided to Tayside NHS Board by the end of September 2018.