Thirty-four wards in the UK took part. Half received a clinical psychologist for 7 months (intervention wards), and half continued as usual for 7 months (control wards).
We collected data from patients and staff about their wellbeing, their views on the atmosphere of the ward, details of the different health care services that patients use, and patient symptoms and social functioning.
In total, we spoke to 15 staff members on each ward, and 11 patients on each ward. All participants completed questionnaires at three different time points. During the second time point, we recruited 9 more patients to ask their views on ward atmosphere.
Additionally, we collected data about the number of instances of self-harm, and violence and aggression on wards.
Which NHS Trusts took part?
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 11
Leeds and York Partnership Foundation NHS Trust
- Number of wards: 1
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 3
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
- Number of wards: 1
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 2
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 5
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 2
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 4
Western Health and Social Care Trust
- Number of wards: 3
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Number of wards: 3
What did the clinical psychologist do?
Level 1: Formulation
- Psychologists facilitated team formulation for each patient.
- Psychologists liaised with relevant people to share formulation e.g. community teams, family members, social care services.
Level 2: Guided self-help interventions with named nurse
- Psychologists trained and supervised staff to engage patients in self-help psychological interventions.
- Psychologists provided supervision in the form of 1-2-1 supervision, group supervision, support groups (reflection and debriefing).
Level 3: 1-to-1 therapy sessions
- Psychologists engaged some patients in 1-2-1 psychological therapy,
primarily focusing assessment and formulation, reason for their current admission and relapse prevention. - Psychologists integrated themselves into the multidisciplinary team (MDT) responsible for a patient’s care to form part of the patients care plan via attendance to relevant MDT meetings.
- Psychologists engaged in own supervision with a senior clinical psychologist.