Patient Safety Awards 2013

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Safety Leaders, Managers and Clinical Staff have become finalists in the prestigious Patient Safety Awards 2013 in the Patient Safety in Mental Health category. The Crisis Services in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire submitted an entry about their work that has effectively reduced suicide rates in their services.

This project addressed the organisational aim to reduce death by suicide or narrative verdict in our crisis services by 50% within one year. The work is underpinned by the conviction that 100% reliability in detailed risk planning, documentation and the communication of risk is the acceptable standard of care for service users and their families. The project is predicated on Always Events designed to reduce harm by employing a positive approach to thinking about harm reduction during service user care transitions and support for carers. The Always Events are comprised of bundles of essential activities, each directed towards standardised care to enhance the reliability of safety orientated interventions.

Jill Addis, Consultant Nurse and Safer Care Lead and Michele Harding, Head of Acute Pathway said, ‘We are delighted to be finalists for this award. It reflects the commitment, dedication and compassion that our staff show every day in their work with service users and their families. We will present the project to the judges on the 24 May in London, and await the judges’ decision at the presentations in July.’

L-R: Michele Harding and Jill Addis