5 Discussion

This study has looked at carer support from the perspectives of both forensic carers and forensic mental health services in Scotland, examining perceptions and experiences of what carer support there is currently, and seeking to understand better the reasons why some carers feel unsupported by forensic mental health services, critically reflecting on what has worked well.  In this final chapter we aim to draw together key themes across all of the data, and to discuss the implications for forensic mental health services for improving support to carers, as well as the implications for developing a national carer strategy that takes account of forensic carers.