Specialist training in forensic psychiatry: the UK experience

Training pathways and structures in forensic psychiatry differ between European Union countries, and perspective may differ between trainees and trainers.

To describe the context of forensic psychiatry training in the UK, with a particular emphasis on England and Wales, as well as some details of core psychiatry and specialist forensic training.

Forensic psychiatry in the UK takes place in the context of general medical training guidance and regulation. In the last decade, it has changed to be in line with the European working directive and to take account of opinions from outside medicine. The specialist component is typically during the last 3 years of post-graduate training and is based on an apprenticeship/competency model.