Reducing harm from ligatures in mental health wards and wards for people with a learning disability (CQC, 21 November 2023)

Summary

This guidance was developed by the Mental Health and Learning Disability Nurse Directors Forum in collaboration with experts by experience and the Care Quality Commission.

Four key themes were identified:

• Co-design evidence-based approach ligature harm reduction planning: Incorporate local expertise through collaborations with staff and experts by experience when reviewing ligature harm risks.
• Therapeutic environment: Consider the balance of safety versus privacy and dignity when assessing and controlling for potential ligature harm, including the extent to which restrictions may impact on patient recovery.
• Individualised risk assessment: Focus on individualised approaches to risk assessment rather than tools to predict future suicide risk and treatment. Minimise use of blanket restrictions to manage known risks to aid reduction in institutional dependence.
• Integration into other aspects of treatment and care planning: Consider the role of other aspects of treatment and support (for example, levels of observations) and how risk assessment should be integrated into care planning and therapeutic risk assessment and co-produced safety planning, where possible.

Read the full guidance via the link below.

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