A model to improve safety on acute inpatient mental health wards

Gilliver, Catherine

Catherine Gilliver is part-time staff nurse, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and director, Trauma Informed Care Community Interest Company.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

For more articles on mental health, go to nursingtimes.net/mental health

Nursing Times 116(12):p 30-33, December 2020.

Abstract

Several factors have contributed to the current level of challenge in maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff on acute mental health wards. This article looks at these, including the increased role of a risk-management culture, which promotes restrictive practices that provide short-term solutions to violence and aggression but may lead to an overall reduction in physical and emotional safety. It also discusses the theory, application and potential use in other settings of Safewards, a model that uses interventions to improve interactions and the ward environment.

Citation Gilliver C (2020) A model to improve safety on acute inpatient mental health wards. Nursing Times; 116: 12, 30–33.

In this article…

The recent issues and developments relating to safety in acute mental healthcare
The behaviours and strategies identified by the Safewards model as causing issues
Case studies using the alternative strategies suggested by the model