This initiative was implemented in December 2016 and led to a significant reduction in the use of enhanced observations (including seclusion) across the service in 2017.
In 2016 there were 122 episodes compared to only 64 episodes in 2017; of the episodes in 2016, 40 were 2:1 or 3:1 enhanced observations, compared to only 8 in 2017. The initiative had an additional positive effect on agency staffing, which saw a 30% reduction from 2016 to 2017.
Feedback from staff on Austen Ward has been overwhelmingly positive; the initiative has been fully embraced by the team and staff report feeling that they can now engage more therapeutically with patients in an environment that supports positive risk taking.
The presentation was very well received at the conference which was attended by staff from PICU services across the country as well as some service users and carers, with lots of delegates asking questions about the initiative to take back to their own services.
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