A model to improve safety on acute inpatient mental health wards (9 November 2020)

Summary

Many risks faced by patients in acute mental health settings are similar to those that occur in other areas of healthcare, for example medication errors and cross-infection. In addition, however, there are unsafe behaviours associated with serious mental health problems, including violence and self-harm; the measures taken to address these, such as restraint or seclusion, may result in further risks to patient safety.

This article by Catherine Gilliver in the Nursing Times discusses the need for a physical and psychosocial environment in which staff, patients and visitors feel recognised and valued.