Exploring patient experience of the Safewards model
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the service-user opinion of the Safewards model within a locked high dependency mental health unit.
IRAS ID
274902
Contact name
Louise Braddick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cygnet Healthcare
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 21 days
Research summary
The Safewards model was originally developed by Len Bowers and disseminated in 2014, focused on implementing the use of staff and patients’ interventions within acute psychiatric services. The aims of the 10 interventions focused on reducing the conflict and containment required to ensure the safety of all. Conflict refers to events that threaten the safety of staff members or patients in the service. Containment is then considered to be interventions required to manage these incidents such as the use of sedating medication, restraint or increased observations. The model identifies six originating domains which occur within all services and can lead to incidents of conflict and require intervention following the development of “flashpoints”. The ultimate goal of Safewards is reduced incidents of conflict or the need for staff intervention. As a result this leads to an improved patient experience and better staff engagement alongside greatly improved therapeutic relationships. \n\nThe model has been implemented throughout other hospitals in the UK and the around the world. The results following the implementations have been explored within literature, however, there appears to be a gap in the research exploring the views of the service users that the model directly impacts upon. \n\nTherefore, qualitative interviews will take place with current inpatients within a male locked high dependency rehabilitation unit; all of which will be under Section of the Mental Health Act 1983/07. These interviews will take place following appropriate capacity assessments by qualified clinical staff members to ensure all individuals are able to provide informed consent. These interviews will include semi-structured interviews aimed at gathering the views of the Safewards Model following the implementation of the model within the service. The interviews will last approximately one hour and all data will be transcribed and analysed to determine the identification of themes relating to their experiences.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
20/WS/0100
Date of REC Opinion
10 Sep 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion