The former chief inspector of prisons in Scotland has been appointed to chair an inquiry into mental health services at NHS Tayside.
David Strang will lead the independent probe set up following concerns over the Carseview psychiatric unit at Ninewells in Dundee.
NHS Tayside chairman John Brown said: "I am very pleased that David has accepted the role of chair of the independent inquiry.
"He has a wealth of experience that he will bring to the review and his appointment will assure not only the board of NHS Tayside, but importantly all our stakeholders, that the inquiry will be open, honest, transparent and run with absolute integrity.
"We have taken the time to set up the independent inquiry with the full involvement of patients and families, and it is thanks to them that we have made the appointment of the chair today."
Unitl last month, Mr Strang was HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland and previously he served as Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.
Mr Brown said the next stage of setting up the inquiry would be ensuring its terms of reference are shaped and agreed by all those involved.
He said it was intended that an interim report would provided to NHS Tayside's board by the end of September 2018.
The inquiry was announced in May after a campaign by relatives of men who committed suicide.
Earlier this month, a fatal accident inquiry into the death of a former patient recorded that there were "serious systemic failures" in his care.
Dale Thomson took his own life after leaving the Carseview facility.
Meanwhile, allegations of mistreatment of former patients at the unit have come to light in a BBC documentary.
Commenting on the allegations, mental health minister Clare Haughey said NHS Tayside "must investigate swiftly".
"I will be expecting an early update from NHS Tayside on their investigation and the action they intend to take," she added.
Ms Haughey said the independent inquiry will now also include these allegations.
NHS Tayside has also announced the appointment of Professor Keith Matthews as associate medical director for mental health services.
Prof Matthews, an experienced clinician, will be "instrumental" in leading the redesign and improvement of mental health services across Tayside, the health board said.
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