The role of doctors in investigation, prevention and treatment of torture.

Doctors may assess and treat torture survivors; some may document crucial evidence of torture in medico-legal reports. However, there is a lack of education on torture and related ethical and legal issues at undergraduate and postgraduate level and many doctors are not aware of opportunities to work with organisations for the prevention of torture. This paper defines Torture, describes methods used, and sets out the human rights instruments and codes of ethical practice that mandate efforts to prevent torture.

A systematic review of the nutritional status of women of a childbearing age with severe mental illness.

Little is known about the nutritional status of pregnant women with severe mental illness. We therefore carried out a systematic review to investigate whether pregnant women and childbearing aged women with severe mental illness have significantly greater nutritional deficiencies compared with pregnant women and childbearing aged women with no mental illness. We carried out a search using MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO from January 1980 to January 2011 for studies on nutritional status of childbearing aged women with psychotic disorders.

Rehabilitation of torture survivors in five countries: common themes and challenges.

Background: Torture continues to be a global problem and there is a need for prevention and rehabilitation efforts. There is little available data on torture survivors from studies designed and conducted by health professionals in low income countries. This study is a collaboration between five centres from Gaza, Egypt, Mexico, Honduras and South Africa who provide health, social and legal services to torture survivors, advocate for the prevention of torture and are part of the network of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).

Characteristics and needs of asylum seekers and refugees in contact with London community mental health teams: a descriptive investigation.

Background: Asylum seekers and refugees may have substantial needs for mental health care, to which both pre-migration and post-migration traumas are likely to contribute. However, there is a paucity of data available to guide appropriate service development.

Aims: To ascertain numbers and describe the characteristics and needs of asylum seekers and refugees in contact with London Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs).