Building collaborative cultures of care

within NSW mental health services

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Accountability

Health services are responsible to people with lived experience of mental health issues, their families, kinship groups, carers and community to deliver safe, effective, high-quality health services that are continuously improved.422

Organisations need to:

  • consider how safety and quality is assured
  • define roles and responsibilities for safety and quality
  • monitor progress and report on safety and quality, and
  • use information for further improvement.4

Accountability should be considered at the individual care, service and organisation levels.

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Evidence

Accountability and the reduction of restrictive practices can be achieved through a number of strategies. Debriefing of staff following restraint and seclusion occurrences has been found to positively impact staff attitudes and reduce future use of restrictive practices.21

Debriefing with people with lived experience and their carers can help identify stressors and negative environments.21 It also creates the opportunity for collaborative forward planning to minimise the risk of deterioration and use of restrictive practices.21

Staff debriefing provides staff with the necessary skills and confidence to manage situations without resorting to restrictive practices. This reduces the need for seclusion and restraint and further leads to improved outcomes for staff and those they care for.

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