Description
MEDICAL MEMBERS FOR THE
MENTAL HEALTH TRIBUNAL FOR SCOTLAND
| Remuneration | Medical Member - Daily fee of £503.06 |
| Location | Across Scotland |
| Number of positions | 15 |
| Closing Date | 23.59 on 12 August 2026 |
| Time commitment | Approximately 24 days per year |
| Appointment term | 5 years from date of appointment, with reappointment at the end of that term, subject to schedule 2 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (the 2003 Act) |
Role description
The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (MHTS) is responsible for making and reviewing orders for the detention and compulsory care and treatment of people in Scotland with a mental disorder. The tribunal also deals with applications for an order that a person is being detained in conditions of excessive security or is unlawfully detained.
Being a medical member is a significant role, ensuring that those who are believed to require compulsory care and treatment are afforded the highest standards of independent and impartial decision-making. In the conduct of its hearings, MHTS aims to maximise the opportunity for people to participate in key decisions about them.
We are particularly keen to recruit medical members to hear cases within the Aberdeen, Inverness and Dumfries and Galloway areas.
Successful candidates will be appointed by the Scottish Ministers, in accordance with the provisions of the 2003 Act. It is expected that Medical Members will commit around 24 days per year.
The appointment term will last five years, with members automatically reappointed, subject to the provisions of the 2003 Act (see in particular schedule 2, paragraph 4).
As a Medical Member of the MHTS your role will include:
preparing for hearings by reading the papers and identifying any medical issues;
- participating fully in the decision making of the three-person tribunal panel of which you are a member. You will explain medical terminology and technicalities and advise other panel members as required;
- contributing to the tribunal’s written decision;
- ensuring that parties, including those who may not be represented, can fully present their case and have it considered fairly;
- ensuring decisions and any orders of the tribunal are made efficiently, effectively and fairly.
Eligibility and person specification
To be eligible for appointment as a Medical Member, you must be a fully registered person within the meaning of section 55(1) of the Medical Act 1983, whether or not you hold a licence to practise. Additionally, you must either:
- be a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or
- have a minimum of four years whole time equivalent experience of providing psychiatric services.
Whole time equivalent will be calculated by multiplying the full length of your experience by the following fraction:
Your hours of employment each week
Hours constituting comparable
whole-time employment
Please see the guidance notes and person specification document in the application pack for the full person specification relating to this role.
How to Apply
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY VIA THE ‘APPLY NOW’ BUTTON ON THIS PAGE.
To request an application pack or obtain further information about this post please email mhts.recruitment2026@gov.scot
The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 12 August 2026.
Late applications will not be considered.
The Scottish Ministers are committed to the principles of appointment on merit through an open, fair, transparent and impartial process. We particularly welcome applications from people from protected groups, including women, disabled people, those from minority ethnic communities and people aged under 50.
If successful, you will be required to produce a satisfactory Level 2 disclosure certificate, which you will be liable to meet the cost of obtaining. The cost is currently £25.
Sift, Interview and Training
The sift will take place week beginning 17 August 2026, with all candidates being informed of the outcome of the sift by no later than 28 August 2026.
Interviews will be held in Hamilton between 29 September and 2 October 2026 inclusive.
If invited to interview, you will be asked to provide a short presentation, on a topic intimated with the invitation to interview.
Induction training will be held on 13 - 15 January 2027 inclusive, for those candidates who are successful.
Training in the relevant legislation and work of the MHTS will also be provided.
Please note that this training is compulsory and your application will not be progressed if you are unable to attend on these dates. If you are successful, your appointment is conditional on your attendance at all three days of this compulsory training.
