New Clinical Director, Law and Mental Health Program announced

Dr. Alexander (Sandy) Simpson, an expert with an international reputation for his progressive approach to forensic mental health, will join CAMH in May 2010 as Clinical Director of the Law and Mental Health Program (LAMH), and Head, Law and Mental Health Program at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. 

Dr. Sandy Simpson

Dr. Simpson comes to CAMH from Auckland Regional Forensic Service and Area Mental Health Services in Auckland, New Zealand, where he serves as clinical director.

“[H]is published outcomes are among the best in the field,” says Judith Tompkins, Chief of Nursing Practice and Professional Services and Executive Vice President Programs, who jointly announced his appointment with CAMH Physician-in-Chief Dr. Benoit Mulsant.

Judith points to his leadership in developing community and inpatient forensic models into a comprehensive model of service, using both recovery-based and culture-based forensic mental health services. He also played a leading role in developing culture-specific inpatient treatment services for Maori, and in developing an intellectual disability offender service.

A respected advisor and popular speaker, he has extensive experience providing counsel to government agencies on policy and has worked closely with the judiciary in training for judges, including to the New Zealand Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges.

Dr. Simpson will also bring a focus on education to his work. His broad teaching experience includes post-graduate university teaching in Forensic Psychiatry and specialist training for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.  His publications cover topics ranging from the clinical assessment, prevention and management of violence risk in forensic populations, to the future shape of prison mental health services. 

His areas of research focus on the epidemiology of mental disorder in New Zealand prisons with the development of screening methods and the review of assessment of violence guidelines and development of a staff training toolkit. 

Dr. Padraig Darby will serve as Acting Clinical Director beginning in January, 2010 until Dr. Simpson's arrival in May.

• Print
  Share |