Implementing positive and proactive care

Abstract

In this article we discuss the Department of Health's Positive and Safe initiative in the context of one Inner London mental health trust. The goal of the initiative is to reduce the use of restrictive practice in mental healthcare settings and to eradicate the use of prone restraint. We discuss how we are addressing the recommendations of the guidance and the new Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice. Implementation of the core elements of the approach are considered: these are behavioural support planning, reducing the use of restraint and post-incident reviews.