What we do:

1. We host workshops to identify regional research needs, stimulate research proposals and disseminate information reflecting national and regional priorities

2. We circulate E-mail updates and newsletters to pass on information about research and development funding, education and training opportunities, local workshops and conferences, current issues, and research reports.

3. We also maintain this website, providing information and a forum for members, including regional education and training opportunities, forthcoming local workshops and conferences, research priorities, updates and funding opportunities, current regional research projects, forums to enable discussion and debate among Members, and links to the national Offender Health Research Network and other regional networks as they develop.

PORSCH has hosted or co-hosted a number of workshops - check out the 'Events' page for future workshops:

Healthcare Delivery in Police Stations and Provision of Criminal Justice Liaison Services (January 2010) Speakers: Wendy Balmain (Deputy Regional Director Social Care and Partnerships, Department of Health); Dr. Wendy Dyer (University of Northumbria/PORSCH); Malcolm King (National MHA Project Lead, National Mental Health Development Unit).

Alcohol and Offenders - working in partnership to implement effective practice. Co-hosted with BALANCE and Social Care North East (February 2010) Speakers: Colin Shevills (BALANCE NE, Director); Susan Taylor, (Partnerships Manager, BALANCE); Jill Smith, (Public Health Liaison Manager for Substance Misuse, North East Public Health Observatory); Dorothy Newbury-Birch (Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University); Mandy English (Strategic Alcohol Commissioning Manager, Co Durham Drug & Alcohol Action Team); Saphron North (Manager County Durham Alcohol Rolling Programme); Jill Smith (Public Health Liaison Manager (Substance Misuse), North East Public Health Observatory); Kath Barber (Cleveland Police, Police Alcohol project).

Launch of the North East Offender Health Diversion Project (The Big Diversion Project). Co-hosted with the NE Offender Health Commissioning Unit (November 2010) Speakers: Martin Barkley, (Chief Executive, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust); Michael Barton, (Deputy Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary); Judge Bowers, (North East Circuit Judge); Paddy Fox, (Governor, HMP Castington); Dave Gardiner, (Deputy Chief Executive, Northumbria Probation Trust); The Warrington Criminal Justice Team – Rebecca Norman, Social Worker /AMHP, Revolving Doors, and Cath Norman, Social Worker; Manchester Criminal Justice Service (MO:DEL) – Matt Patterson, Clinical Lead; Julie Dhuny, (Head of Commissioning, North East Offender Health).