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National Mental Health Safety Improvement Programme (MHSIP)

The Mental Health Patient Safety Improvement Programme (MHSIP) was a national safety initiative aimed at mental health trusts in England that provide inpatient services. Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV) supported three Trusts which provide mental health services in our region: Berkshire Healthcare, Central and North West London (Milton Keynes) and Oxford Health.

The objective of the programme was to reduce the use of ‘restrictive practice’ within mental health inpatient settings – defined as physical restraint, rapid tranquilisation and seclusion. Restrictive practices should only be used as a last resort to manage immediate risk. The use of restrictive practices can damage the therapeutic relationship between patients and staff and result in trauma and or injury for both groups. The national aim was a 25% reduction in incidences of restrictive practice by April 2023, as measured against individual ward data.

For local work carried out in the programme please visit the pages below:

For more information around the national programme please visit the NCCMH website: