Former top cop set to lead mental health inquiry

The former chief inspector of prisons in Scotland has been appointed to chair an inquiry into mental health services at NHS Tayside.

David Strang will lead the independent probe set up following concerns over the Carseview psychiatric unit at Ninewells in Dundee. 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.” Until last month, Mr Strang was HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland and previously he served as Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.

Mr Brown said the next stage of setting up the inquiry would be making sure its terms of reference were shaped and agreed by all those involved.

He said it was intended an interim report would be provided to NHS Tayside’s board by the end of September.