Staff TIME 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reducing the impact of workplace trauma on acute mental health wards: The effectiveness of the Workplace Trauma Support intervention optimised to meet the needs of minoritised staff
IRAS ID
361169
Contact name
Katherine Berry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Staff working on mental health wards are regularly exposed to workplace trauma such as physical assault, restraining patients and witnessing self-harm. Our research has also found that staff from minoritised groups (40% of the NHS workforce) experience racism, homophobia and disability-related abuse and discrimination from patients or coworkers, adding to other workplace trauma. Workplace trauma causes staff mental ill health, absences and turnover which impact on patient care and health service costs. Only a small minority of Trusts have a comprehensive approach to reducing the impact of workplace trauma. One example is the Workplace Trauma Support (WTS) model. We are currently working on a study to adapt and pilot the WTS to better suit the needs of minoritised groups.
With this information, we will then trial the WTS in 30 acute inpatient mental health wards nationwide. We will use questionnaires, interviews and observations on the ward to see how the model may impact staff and patient experiences on inpatient wards. We will also compare wards with the WTS to wards without the WTS to assess any impacts on the general ward environment e.g. staff sickness and number of incidents.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1465
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion