Mind supports mental health nursing review recommendations

For immediate release Thurs 20 April 2006

Sophie Corlett, Director of Policy at Mind, said:
"We’re delighted at the review's encouragement of a more active role for nurses in engaging with service users - too often we hear of a lack of interaction between the two, particularly on wards where patients may feel alone and abandoned."

The review incorporates key Mind recommendations including:

• a recovery-based approach - including in acute inpatient services which have been lacking an underlying philosophy of care
• active involvement of service users and carers with nurses in care planning
• training to help nurses assist in providing psychological therapies such as CBT
• cultural competency and diversity training, to improve the quality of services for people from black and minority ethnic groups
• developments to ensure inpatient wards are safe, therapeutic and clean
• access to drugs information - we hope that this will ensure nurses can provide information about different types of drugs, potential side effects and problems in coming off, and respect the individual’s right to make choices around medication.

"As the largest body of mental health professionals, nurses' contribution is key to the care and recovery of people with mental health problems. We now hope to see resources provided to ensure recommendations are put into practice."

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