1. Formal risk assessments are carried out by the Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) or others from Lancashire and South Cumbria Care Foundation Trust (LSCFT). A Mental Health Triage Tool is used within the Emergency Dept/Urgent Care Centres. On the wards, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) staff do not carry out suicide risk assessments, as again they will refer to the MHLT, however we do use Safeguarding Care Plans which support and prompt staff to address potential risks, and this includes providing additional support, even on a one to one basis.
2. This is applicable to LSCFT staff only. The Emergency Department/Urgent Care Centre staff work closely with the MHLT who have provided some training for them to use the triage assessment tool. For more information on the training we advise to contact Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust directly. Their contact details are; Freedom.OfInformationRequests@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
3. ELHT staff do not have specific training for assessing risk – this is a specialised role and is carried out by MH staff. ELHT approach is to support and safeguard individuals based on their reason for admission or if they have a known history of attempted suicide or self harm. Usually based on reason for admission i.e. admitted with an overdose, or self harm, or attempted suicide e.g. hanging. Over 2000 staff have been trained face to face on the specific course for supporting people who are at risk of self harm and suicide. This is provided by the Chaplain and others, and is continuously evaluated. Feedback is recorded from staff and also patients. The patient experience is used as part of the training. This is really about humanity – for staff to have the confidence to communicate well and support vulnerable people at risk of suicide and self harm. It compliments the safeguarding care plans, and also the Chaplain does visit patients on the wards. He has Jasper the therapy dog who is also introduced to patients if they wish to see him.
4. Referral to the Mental Health Liaison Team and if patients are admitted then they would have a safeguarding care plan put in place which will support their needs. These care plans were revised and a 3 month pilot was carried out at the end of 2019 – this audit is being concluded shortly.
5. Information not available
6. Information not available
