National Police Care Network: Update October 2026

Dear Colleague

The following items are contained in this update:

• National Prison and Police Care Network Update
• National Prison and Police Care Network Webinars
• NHS Police and Prison Healthcare Vacancies
• RCN Scotland ‘Moved to Care’ exhibition launch event
• BBV Spotlight Learning Sessions
• National Workforce and Education Conference 2027
• Saint Mary’s Annual Conference, Connected and Vulnerable: Sexual Violence and the Evolving Digital Landscape
• FFLM Events and Publications
• Forensic Network Update
• Digital Transformation Webinar Series Learning from the Front, Episode 3: Population Wide Data for Population Health Insights
• RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2027
• Police Scotland – That Guy campaign
• Baseline Implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards in Scottish Prisons: Justice Supplementary Report 2025-26
• JAS Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: Setember Edition

• The National Prison and Police Care Networks held a webinar on Tomorrow’s Women and the Women’s Problem Solving Court on Wednesday 2 September. This engaging session will introduce Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow (TWG) and explore its vital role alongside the Women’s Problem Solving Court at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Together, these services demonstrate how connection, collaboration, and trauma-informed practice can support women to move away from the justice system and towards more positive futures. The recording can be found here.

• The Networks were also joined by Alan Mitchell, the current President at European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) who held a webinar on Healthcare Professionals in Secure Environments – Their Key Role in Preventing Ill-Treatment . In 2025 the CPT published its updated standards on healthcare in prisons. These standards include the recording and reporting of injuries. Alan Mitchell will present the Committee’s standards and participate in a discussion on the same. You can find the recording here.

• The National Prison & Police Care Network SharePoint Hub is the place to find out the latest Prison and Police Care Network news and updates. Currently, we are only able to grant access to NHS colleagues, if you are an NHS employee and would like access to the Prison SharePoint Hub, please contact us at nss.prisoncare@nhs.scot, if you would like access to the Police SharePoint Hub, please contact us at nss.policecare@nhs.scot. If you would like to receive notifications of any news and updates, please ensure you are following us, this can be done by clicking the icon shown below, located on the SharePoint site:

The National Police and National Prison Care Networks continue to jointly host a programme of webinars to support the continuous professional development of staff working within the NHS, Police Scotland, SPS and wider partners. The attached flyer contains information and registration links for the webinars now open for registration between September – November. A short summary of each session can be found below:

·       What’s on the RADAR? drug trends and the interface with the Criminal Justice System, 28 October 10am

RADAR is a national surveillance system that rapidly detects, assesses and responds to threats of drug harm. At this event the team will give an update on the latest drug harms and key trends in Scotland, across community and justice settings.

·       Introducing the Scottish Institute for Policing Research: Opportunities for Research in Police Custody Healthcare, 18 November, 3-4pm Dr Andrew Wooff, Professor of Criminology Edinburgh Napier University, will present his research focused on police custody, police education, rural policing and the intersection between health and the police. Dr Wooff is also the Director of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR), the mission of SIPR is to support independent, multi-disciplinary policing research to enable evidence informed policy & practice and decision making.

·       Managing Diabetes in Custody: From Insulin to Innovation, 28 January 3-4pm Dr Hannah Macpherson is a Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and is passionate about using diabetes technology to improve outcomes and empower people to manage their condition effectively. Dr Macpherson’s clinical interests include diabetes technology, person-centred care, and reducing inequalities in access to high-quality diabetes services, ensuring patients receive the support they need throughout their diabetes journey.

If there are specific aspects of diabetes care in custody that you would like covered, or particular questions you would like addressed, please get in touch in the weeks leading up to the session via Nss.prisoncare@nhs.scot or nss.policecare@nhs.scot

Please feel free to share this flyer with colleagues who may be interested in joining.

• HMP & YOI Grampian – Occupational Therapist – Closing Date – 02/11/26
• HMP Glenochil – Primary Care Senior Registered Nurse – Closing Date – 21/10/26
• HMYOI Polmont – Senior Mental Health Nurse – Prison Healthcare – Closing Date – 21/10/26
• HMYOI Polmont – Pharmacy Assistant – Prison Service – Closing Date – 21/10/26
• Bell Street Police Custody Suite – Specialty GP – Forensic Physician – Closing Date – 27/10/26

*Sent on behalf of Royal College of Nursing*

We are pleased to confirm the launch of our new exhibition about the history of migration and nursing RCN Scotland at 42 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh EH9 2HH, and online. Join us for the launch of our new exhibition about the history of migration and nursing. Join chair Professor Pam Smith, RCN Fellow, for talks exploring migration including hearing from Dr Radha Adhikari, Lecturer in University of the West of Scotland, on contemporary international nurse migration of Nepali nurses.

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us on scotland.library@rcn.org.uk or 0131 662 6163. You can find more information about upcoming RCN events here: Events | Scotland | Royal College of Nursing

Book online: Moved to Care Exhibition Launch (Hybrid) | Event | Scotland | Royal College of Nursing

*Sent on behalf of Public Health Scotland STI/BBV Team*

Session 4 – Injecting Equipment Provision and BBV Prevention

This session on Tuesday 20 October 12pm-1pm, will examine the role of Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) as a key harm reduction intervention for preventing blood borne viruses (BBVs). Participants will gain an overview of the evidence base, current challenges and opportunities, and the contribution of people and services providing IEP to reducing transmission and improving public health outcomes.. You can register for the session here.

Session 5 – The Thistle: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility

Monday 26th October 2026 12-1pm: Lauren Sloey (Nurse Team Leader) will present The Thistle – Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility and the first service of it’s kind within the United Kingdom. This session will provide an overview of the background of the service, including it’s key role in reducing BBV. Thistle colleagues will provide an update on current service delivery from a health and social care perspective following it’s opening on the 13th January 2025 with some key insights into the challenges and enablers of reducing BBV within the context of a safer drug consumption facility. To register please use this link: You can register for the session here.

Shared Learning Session for BBV Testing in Prisons and Alcohol and Drug Services

Thursday 19th November 2026, 11am till 1pm, MS Teams. To register, please use this link: Shared Learning Session 19^th November

*Sent on behalf of Public Services Delivery Scotland *

We are delighted to be hosting the first conference as PSD Scotland over two days in April 2027. The conference is an opportunity for colleagues from across health and social care with an interest in education, workforce development and digital innovation.  This year’s theme will explore how people, partnerships and prevention can transform learning into lasting impact across health and social care. There will be no charge for participation. Further details on the programme and how to register will follow in early 2027.

Seminar abstract submissions

We are inviting submissions for 1-hour seminars, submissions are welcome from across the NHS, integration authorities, voluntary and partner organisations, and other public or private sector organisations. Closing date for seminar abstract submissions is 23:59 on Sunday 13 December 2026.

Poster abstract submissions

We are also inviting abstract submissions for an open paper or poster. Closing date for open paper and poster abstract submissions is 23:59 on Sunday 24 January 2027. Further details on abstract submissions can be found here and in the attached documents.

Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 April 2027

The 2027 conference will explore the evolving digital world. It will look at both the positives and negatives of technology. This includes the rise of AI and the threat of deepfakes. Most importantly, it will focus on how to support vulnerable children and adults to shape a collaborative, survivor-centred future. This event offers valuable insight and inspiration for all professionals working across the field of sexual violence and abuse. For more information and to book a place, please click here.

*Sent on behalf of the Forensic Network*

Please find attached the Forensic Network’s Newsletter detailing their upcoming events. Highlights include:

• Webinar: Essential Relational Aspects of Care
• The Role of the Forensic MHO: From High Secure Care to the Community
• Forensic Network Research Special Interest Group Conference
• MBT Skills for Forensic Mental Health Professionals
• Forensic Aspects of Autism Spectrum Conditions
• Online Safety Programme for People with Intellectual Disabilities
• Essential Relational Aspects of Care Workshop
• Webinar: The Use of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) in Forensic Settings *New*
• Reflective Practice Group Facilitator Training

*Sent on behalf of Digitally Enabled Workforce Team*

Digital, data and AI are central to the future of health and care reform, but realising their potential depends on strong digital foundations, connected systems and a workforce equipped to use data effectively. What this session will explore:

• Lessons from health data initiatives across the UK
• The opportunities emerging through better use of health data and AI
• The digital and data foundations needed to support effective AI adoption
• The leadership and workforce capabilities required to deliver data driven transformation

Register Now to secure your place.

*Sent on behalf of RCN*

The Royal College of Nursing in Scotland is delighted to be holding its Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards in April 2027. The awards are designed to recognise, highlight, and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nursing staff across Scotland. Our awards celebrate and honour the incredible work of Scotland’s nursing staff, day in, day out – showcasing inspiring nursing practice and innovative nurse-led projects that are making a difference for patients, residents, and service users. Nominations are open from 14 September through to 20 November 2026. If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

*Sent on behalf of Police Scotland*

Police Scotland have created a new digital advert as part of the latest That Guy campaign calling for everyday role models to recognise the positive influence that men can have on each other and boys, to prevent the attitudes and behaviours that lead to harassment, assault and rape. The advert kick-starts a six-week focus aimed at tackling the over 200 reports of violence against women and girls crimes which are reported every day on average in Scotland.

The campaign encourages men to recognise that being a positive role model isn’t about being perfect. It’s about the standards they set through their everyday behaviour, the way they speak about women, what they share online, the conversations they have with friends and whether they’re prepared to challenge behaviour that is sexist, disrespectful or harmful. For more information on the campaign please refer to the ‘That Guy 2026 Partner Toolkit’ attached and to watch the new advert, please click here.

*Sent on behalf of John Mooney, Consultant in Public Health, MIST (MAT Standards Implementation Support Team)*

I am pleased to share that the Baseline Implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards in Scottish Prisons: Justice Supplementary Report 2025-26 has now been published. The report presents the first national baseline assessment of MAT Standards implementation across Scotland’s prison estate and highlights progress, learning and areas for future development.

We would like to thank all MATSIN Justice members, prison colleagues, NHS partners, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, Scottish Prison Service colleagues and wider stakeholders for their valuable contributions and engagement throughout the development of this work. Your support, insights and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping the report and establishing this important baseline.

The JAS Safer Communities & Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report for September 2026 been published on the Scottish Government website and can be found here. The report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. There is also more detailed information on prisons and fire.