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Psychiatrist
Dr Imran Pirahcha

I am a licensed and fully registered medical practitioner and graduated from the University of Peshawar where I qualified with the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS).

I am member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

I obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Law from Northumbria University with distinction.

I have completed the ADOS-II (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Version 2) and DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders) trainings. I have completed a City and Guilds assured programme on “Train the trainer – supporting autistic people in inpatient mental health settings”.

I have completed the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) training workshops on the diagnosis and assessment of ADHD, and pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD.

I have completed training on Forensic applications of the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE).

I hold specialist registration as a Forensic Psychiatrist with the General Medical Council.

I am approved by the Secretary of State as having specialist experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder as per Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended.

Personal Experience

I undertook my higher professional training in psychiatry as a Specialist Registrar on the West Midlands Forensic Training scheme. I have trained within medium secure services at Reaside Clinic, Tamarind Centre, and Hatherton Centre. During this time, I also provided psychiatric input within male and female prisons of different categories. I have also worked at Rampton Hight Secure Hospital.

I am currently employed as a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. I am currently managing a caseload of forensic inpatients with mental illness and personality disorders on Radford House within conditions of medium security at Hatherton Centre.

Prior to that, I worked at Ellesmere House, a low secure inpatient service for patients with intellectual disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders.

I am the visiting Forensic Psychiatrist for HMP Oakwood and HMP Stafford.

Within these clinical roles, I am charged with the responsibility of assessment and management of mentally disordered offenders within NHS secure hospitals, prison, and community settings. Most of my patients that I manage are charged with or convicted of violent or serious sexual offences. I have managed patients who were transferred from prison, patients detained under civil and forensic sections and patients on Ministry of Justice restriction orders.

Expert witness training and experience

  • I regularly undertake update training as an expert witness.
  • I have been providing psychiatric reports for Criminal courts for over eight years. I have been instructed by defence as well as by Crown Prosecution Service. I have also prepared independent psychiatric reports for Parole Board. I regularly provide expert evidence in the courts.
  • I am a member of the British Medical Association (BMA) and also hold full medical indemnity insurance.

Contribution towards teaching and training

I am a regional specialty representative for Royal College of Psychiatrists West Midlands Division. I have been actively contributing to College pursuing its function as the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom.

I am an accredited clinical supervisor within Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. I have trained higher trainees in Forensic Psychiatry. I have also supported higher trainees in Forensic Psychiatry to achieve and demonstrate their training competencies in Learning Disability Psychiatry through weekly special interest sessions.

I have been a Forensic and Intellectual Disability Psychiatry panel member for Section 12 and Approved Clinician Refresher Webinars organised by Royal College of Psychiatrists.

I have been a peer reviewer for the Royal College’s Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services.

I regularly support Year 3 students from Keele University for their Student Selected Component.

I am an approved examiner for the CASC (the clinical component of the Royal College membership examination).

Research, Publications and Presentations

  • ‘Asperger syndrome, internet and fantasy versus reality – a forensic case study’ L Higham, I Piracha and J Crocombe
  • Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, vol. 10 No. 6 2016, pp. 349-354.
  • “TARDIVE DYSKINESIA: psychiatrists’ knowledge and practice “ C.J. Joseph, A. Currie, and I. Piracha The Psychiatrist (2011), 35, 164-167, doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.109.025163
  • Diagnosis and Management of Clozapine Rebound/Hypersensitivity Psychosis. Poster presentation at Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry Annual Conference 2018
  • Asperger syndrome, internet and fantasy versus reality – a forensic case study. Poster presentation at Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry Annual Conference 2016
  • An Evaluation of an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Assessment Constructed for Use in a Prison Setting. Poster presentation at International RCPsych (Royal College of Psychiatrists) Congress 2015
  • Risk Assessment and Management. I co-facilitated this workshop for St Andrew’s 6th annual Autism conference in May 2015
  • Spirituality in Forensic Setting. Poster presentation at RCPsych Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry Annual Conference in February 2012
  • A Survey of desired structure for Community based Adult SHO Training Posts
  • Oral presentation at RCPsych Northern and Yorkshire Regional Conference   Poster presentation at International RCPsych Congress                                                  
  • Evaluation of a programme of teaching to develop Clinical Supervision Skills using a model of Medical Communication Poster presentation International RCPsych Congress