THURSDAY, 12 MARCH, 2015

PHOTO ATTACHED: DR KAREN RICHARD (CENTRE RIGHT) AND DR STUART DOIG (CENTRE LEFT) WITH DR RICHARD’S COLLEAGUES AND FAMILY MEMBERS

Psychiatrist retires after 23 years with NHS Tayside

Dr Karen Richard has retired from NHS Tayside after 23 years as a consultant forensic psychiatrist at Murray Royal Hospital.

Having spent most of her formative years in Perth, Dr Richard went to medical school in Edinburgh then completed her psychiatric training between 1983 and 1991 in Highland, Grampian and Tayside.

In her post as consultant forensic psychiatrist with NHS Tayside, Dr Richard looked after Mentally Disordered Offender patients in Murray Royal Hospital and provided services to the prisons, courts and police services.

Her notable innovations include forming a partnership with Tricky Hat Productions, patients of the service and their families to assist in their development and recovery through the dramatic arts. Similarly, she helped support computer training for patients, some of whom had previously been illiterate.

Although her first priority was always the care of the patients and their families, Dr Richards also had responsibility for training psychiatrists and maintaining high standards amongst consultant colleagues.

Lead clinician and consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Stuart Doig said, “She will be greatly missed by her patients, their families, the staff of the Forensic Service now based in the Rohallion Clinic and the staff of the many agencies with whom she worked. Dr Richard was an outstanding psychiatrist and great colleague.”

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718