The efficacy of the Historical, Clinical, and Risk Management Scales (HCR-20; C. D. Webster, D. Eaves, K. S. Douglas, & A. Wintrup, 1995), Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 1991), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS; A. T. Beck, A. Weissman, D. Lester, & L. Trexler, 1974), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) to predict violence and self-harm in 34 institutionalized mentally disordered offenders was assessed. Both the HCR-20 and BPRS were strong predictors of violence whereas the PCL-R had moderate predictive ability. BHS was the only variable predictive of self-harm. Although risk assessment measures were successful at predicting in-patient violence, a clinical measure of mental state was at least as effective in these mentally disordered offenders.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the current forensic mental health inpatient population within a medium secure unit is more or less complex (i.e. clinical and risk presentations) than former years using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) secure. Additionally, the use of the HoNOS secure as a service-wide measure is discussed in terms of its usefulness. Clinical implications and recommendations are offered for the continued use of the HoNOS secure in services more widely. Design/methodology/approach A retrospective case review of completed HoNOS secure assessments for 130 patients over three time intervals 2012, 2015 and 2018 was used. A multivariate analysis was performed on the data using SPSS version 25. Findings The findings revealed that contrary to clinical opinion, inpatients’ clinical and risk presentations had not changed significantly overtime. Research limitations/implications The study shows the benefits of using the HoNOS secure at a service-wide level to explore and understand similarities and differences in inpatient admissions over time. It also highlights the usefulness of the HoNOS secure for considering different ward characteristics and the needs of patients residing in these environments. Originality/value Although much research exists surrounding the individual use of the HoNOS secure in relation to outcomes, there is limited research focusing on use of the HoNOS secure at the service level. The paper therefore provides evidence of the utility and value of the HoNOS secure as a service-level outcome measure.

The effect of medium secure care on reoffending is unknown; adequate control groups cannot be identified and exposure to reconviction may be confounded by onward placement and by legal restrictions. Retrospective analysis of convictions for an England and Wales National Cohort of adults discharged from 35 medium secure services during 1997/8. Data were retrieved from the Offenders Index and from each service. Reconviction risk for 711 cases was estimated using Offending Groups Reconviction Scale-2 (OGRS-2). Reconviction (any standard list offense) served as the sole outcome during a uniform six-year follow up. Reconviction outcomes were highest following transfer to prison, reduced by further secure care whilst restriction orders were effective in reducing convictions only in those at high risk. Substantial reductions in reconvictions were observed across the full range of criminogenic risk after control of the above confounding. OGRS-2 proved a useful assay for estimating the effects of secure services on reconvictions. Analysis of more contemporary samples using the current methods and more recent versions of OGRS is warranted.

The distribution of health fund payments as a percentage of consumption showed: in 2007, 88.4% supplementary health insurance services, including 16% supplementary services within the framework of social security benefits, 77% self-care services provided by the health funds (67.1% medicine, 31.2% medical device), while in 2013, 98.2% supplementary health insurance services, including 18.6% supplementary services within the framework of social security benefits, 80.7% self-care services provided by the health funds (71.2% medicine, 28% medical device). Health fund payments for lifestyle improvement services reached 11.6% in 2007, and 1.5% in 2013. ConClusions: Reduction in the number of health funds, and an increase both in membership and revenues indicate the consolidation of the function of health funds. The distribution of payments by consumption shows no significant progress: medicine and medical device still play a major role, and disease prevention and health care services still represent a very small proportion.