This article addresses the concept of planned temporary, prolonged or permanent discontinuation of psychiatric medication. This is colloquially termed ‘drug holidays’, within the specific context of United Kingdom psychiatric practice. The primary focus is directed towards the significant medico-legal considerations inherent in such decisions, acknowledging the particular sensitivities and heightened risk environment encountered within psychiatry …
GMC, law, medication, psychiatry, risk, standards, treatment
The COCKEREL Model of Teamwork
TheEditor
The concept of teamwork is vast and well-documented. Countless books, studies, and seminars explore its every nuance. This wealth of information, however, can be overwhelming. It often leads to confusion rather than clarity, leaving teams with plenty of theory but little practical guidance. Many people understand the importance of teamwork. Yet they lack a simple …
communication, coordination, efficiency, empathy, kindness, organisation, teams, teamwork, working together
Onboarding Issues for Locum Doctors
TheEditor
Locum doctors are a vital component of the NHS workforce, providing essential flexibility and specialist skills. However, their ability to integrate swiftly is often undermined by persistent onboarding issues. As a consultant forensic psychiatrist working exclusively in locum posts, I have repeatedly encountered significant, preventable delays. While this article focuses on the acute challenges faced …
common sense, efficiency, locums, onboarding, value, value for money
UK Supreme court rules that a woman is a woman
The recent UK Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers ([2025] UKSC 16) has clarified a long-standing ambiguity in equality law: what does the term “woman” mean in the Equality Act 2010? The court ruled that “woman” refers to biological sex, not gender identity or legal sex as defined by …
The Illusory Nature of Objectivity: Epistemological Challenges in Psychiatric Practice
In the practice of psychiatry, clinicians face a profound epistemological challenge: the pursuit of objective assessment in a field fundamentally concerned with subjective experience. While the scientific foundations of medicine presuppose the existence of observer-independent facts awaiting discovery through rigorous methodology, this conception becomes particularly tenuous when applied to the diagnosis and treatment of mental …
Case Study: Sessay v South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (2011)
In August 2010, police officers entered the home of Ms Sawida Sessay, prompted by a neighbour’s concern about her welfare and ability to care for her young child. Without obtaining a warrant or consulting mental health professionals, the officers formed a judgment that Ms Sessay appeared mentally disordered and took her, along with her child, …