Improving the experience for women in secure mental healthcare
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can we improve the experience for women in secure mental health services?
IRAS ID
142395
Contact name
Stevi Jackson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Research summary
Medium Secure units were created across the UK following recommendations from the Glancy and Butler Reports (DHSS; 1974, Butler Committee; 1975). Women, accounting for only 8-12% of admissions to medium security have always been, and remain the minority (Dent; 2006). As services were designed and clinical care structured around the male majority women were nursed on wards alongside their male counterparts (DoH; 2002).
In 2002 it was formally acknowledged that changes to secure mental health services for women were needed (DoH; 2002). Policy documentation began to address some of the issues women had experienced in these services and provided guidance on service models aimed to provide safer services for women (DoH; 1998, DoH; 2002). Women’s Mental Health: Into the Mainstream (DoH; 2002) utilised these documents and identified best practice guidelines and service development through addressing the wider social and cultural needs of women that impacts significantly on their lives.
This research is aimed to explore the current experience of women in these services, from their perspectives; providing an opportunity for their voice to be heard. It will also allow for an increased understanding of how these women experience care and facilitate consideration to be given to changes in the operational management of women’s secure services including implications for staff training and how this relates to the current evidence base and guidance.
The research project will be undertaken within a medium secure Women’s service in West Yorkshire. 1.1 semi structured interviews will be utilised as it is felt that this will provide an increased depth of data. However, small focus groups will also be offered for women who would like to participate but do not feel comfortable on a 1.1 basis. The data will be analysed through both a combination of narrative and thematic analysis in order to make most use of the small data set.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0050
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion