NHS takes 7 steps to improve safety for patients

South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, is using guidance published by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) to improve standards of care and protect the safety of people who use its services.

Seven Steps to Patient Safety in Mental Health, gives 7 instructions to help mental health staff achieve a safe care environment. For example, staff are advised to be aware of the potential for things to go wrong, have clear safety policies and learn from their previous mistakes.

Chief Executive Steven Michael said "The Seven Steps guidance is an invaluable resource that is helping our staff tackle specific issues that affect the safety of people who use services. The Trust is committed to offering high standards and constantly strives to deliver better services for local people. Having a concrete set of guidelines to help staff create the safest possible care environment will no doubt have a positive impact on the quality of the care we provide. "