Posted By Martin R. Bessant
Patrick,

Good luck in your interview and with your presentation.

Before I retired I worked for an NHS Trust which had both Mental Health and Community.

We had as priority the following:

Risk of Violence - both in Hospital and also Community Psychiatric Nurses in Clinics / Visiting.

Risks of Scalding and Burns from Baths and Showers.

Risk of Suicide from "hanging points" such as bed and shower curtain rails.

Risk of illicit drugs and alcohol being smuggled in by visitors, plus informal patients going offsite and returning with
same or under influence.

Fires caused by Arson attempts in Wards in bedrooms plus the usual problems with smoking.

Other colleagues will have further items of concern but during my time these were of concern. For violence information you might try www.nhs.uk/zerotolerance which gives information. Also look at the IOSH Healthcare webpage under "Useful Links". We have posted several other sites of use including the Controls Assurance sites which might help.

Hope this helps.

Martin Bessant - Project Officer, Healthcare SG.