TWO new doctors have been appointed to serve at an important facility for adolescents in Irvine as it gears up to admit its first patients later this year.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran recently confirmed it had received approval from the Scottish Government on the full business case for Foxgrove.

Foxgrove has now welcomed Dr Craig Marsh and Dr Allan Thomson to the team.

Dr Marsh has been appointed a consultant forensic psychiatrist. He trained in psychiatry in the west of Scotland and has experience working across the variety of security levels within the forensic hospital estate in Scotland.

Dr Marsh has worked in the capacity of a consultant psychiatrist previously within an intensive psychiatric care unit, low secure, prison and community forensic service.

He also has experience of working with adolescents with mental disorders who present a risk of harm to others, and is currently working within the community child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

READ MORE: Work continues on new Foxgrove secure mental health facility for young people

The new arrival has research experience relevant to this role, having been involved in a significant published clinical study investigating ADHD at Polmont young offenders institution.

Dr Marsh said: “I am excited to join the Foxgrove clinical team and am passionate about the development of this unique service to help meet the needs of young people in Scotland.”

Dr Thomson has been appointed as the consultant clinical psychologist for Foxgrove following completion of the West of Scotland/University of Glasgow clinical psychology training programme,

He said: “I have predominantly worked in low secure and community forensic services.

"I also have experience of working with adolescents who present a risk of harm to others and have held a role supporting the coordination and implementation of NHS Education for Scotland training within a local health board.

"I am looking forward to supporting the development of a service that meets the young people of Scotland’s needs.”