Summary Report on 2024 Inpatient Census now available!
We’re pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 Forensic Network Inpatient Census Report, now available on the Forensic Network website. This annual census provides a snapshot of the forensic inpatient population across Scotland, helping us understand who is receiving care, where, and under what conditions.
What is the Forensic Network Census?
The census is a point prevalence exercise conducted every November, capturing data on all patients across Scotland’s forensic mental health inpatient services who meet defined inclusion criteria. These criteria include patients detained under criminal sections of mental health legislation, those transferred from high or medium secure services, and others whose care is shaped by forensic pathways.
Since its inception in 2013, the census has evolved to become a cornerstone of forensic mental health data in Scotland. It informs service planning, supports research, and helps ensure that care is delivered in the right place, at the right level of security.
Key Findings from the 2024 Census
- 463 patients were recorded across high, medium, and low secure services — the same number as in 2023, showing stability in overall population size.
- Gender distribution remains consistent: 30 women (6.5%) and 433 men (93.5%). However, women are more likely to be in low secure care, and their population shows greater year-on-year change.
- Security levels: 22.2% of patients are in high secure care, 26.8% in medium, and 51.0% in low secure settings — reflecting the intended pyramid of care.
- Diagnostic categories: 84.9% of patients are in the major mental illness category, 13.0% have intellectual disabilities, and 2.1% are in the personality disorder category.
- Length of stay: The average is 4.3 years, but patients with intellectual disabilities stay significantly longer — on average 7.8 years.
- Admissions: 28.3% of patients were admitted to their current site within the past year, with 15.6% being new to forensic inpatient care.
Why This Matters
The census is a tool for understanding the needs of forensic patients, identifying trends, and supporting the development of responsive, evidence-based services.
This year’s report includes ICD-11 diagnostic data for the first time, offering deeper insight into the clinical profiles of patients. It also highlights the role of Intensive Psychiatric Care Units (IPCUs) in forensic care, with a dedicated IPCU census underway in collaboration with the Scottish IPCU Network.
What’s Next?
The census findings will inform ongoing workstreams including:
- The redevelopment of the Forensic Network Inpatient Database
- The upcoming FNRSIG Research Conference on 30 October 2025
- Continued collaboration with partners to improve data quality and service delivery
We invite all colleagues across the Forensic Network and wider mental health services to read the full report and consider how the findings might support your work.