Research project sees Trust attending European Conference to present work

Our Trust was delighted to be invited along with colleagues from University of Hull to attend the 11^th annual European Conference on Mental Health in Slovenia recently.

The invitation came following the incredibly valuable research project they initiated which looked at inequalities experienced by inpatients transitioning from secure units into the community. Known as the ‘Step Down’ project teams from our Trust worked with University of Hull to conduct a qualitative study during 2021-2022.

Karlynne Scott (Forensic Community Service Manager), Kirsty Fishburn (Module Lead/Lecturer for nurses non-medical prescribing) and Dr Jane Wray (Senior Lecturer in Nursing) presented ‘the transition from secure in-patient mental health care into specialist community forensic services in Ljubljana, Slovenia. 

The research study which was presented consisted of speaking to inpatients who were in the process of transitioning into the community setting (seven people) and some who were already living in the community (nine people). These 16 took part in semi-structured face to face interviews for researchers to learn more about the issues facing them at the point of leaving the inpatient setting and re-entry into the community. For some of the interviewees, the period they had lived within a secure unit was up to 20 years during which huge societal changes had taken place, most of which they had no real experience of living with.

The outcome of the interviews highlighted the need for specialist training for staff in self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), exploitation and vulnerability. Many of the patients who took part in the study raised issues with digital security and literacy, for example needing support with safety and security when using online banking which they had not previously used.

It was also discovered that the housing requirements of those leaving the inpatient units must be assessed on an individual basis and the housing options provided to these people must be suitable rather than simply represent what is currently available.

The research also highlighted the feelings of loneliness and unease often carried by those transitioning into the community in areas such as accessing health and social care services in the wider community. And there is a high risk of vulnerability which needs addressing with support and information throughout the transition period and beyond.

The key message which came from the research was the importance of relationships across every touch point, for example between patients and their families, as well as the staff they see and interact with. The use of in reach work prior to a patient’s discharge from services was also vitally important to their positive outcomes.

It was a huge honour to be invited along to present the study and the work undertaken is very important for shaping future services. The scale of the study carried out was smaller than originally hoped, due to the Covid-19 situation at the time, but this piece of research will inform any future research which seeks to learn more and take it further.