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Zero tolerance; measured response: responding to violence in mental health or learning disability care settings
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
Although workplace violence is unacceptable, when it relates to mental ill-health within a care setting the issues are complex. Staff may be caught between providing appropriate and sensitive care for people whose mental disorder results in violence, and reporting significant incidents to the police in order to protect the person, other service users and themselves. This guidance looks at best practice in responding to incidents of violence in learning disability and mental health settings. It reflects the findings of a national consultation with a wide range of stakeholders using a number of anonymised case examples. The guidance questions the traditional idea of ‘zero tolerance’ and aims towards developing a more measured response. The 2 essential outcomes from all incidents of violence in mental health and learning disability care settings are: ensuring the safety of all persons; and ensuring that the needs of the person for care and treatment (and the needs of any others affected by the incident, including staff) continue to be met in a safe and appropriate care setting. A number of recommendations are provided on the development of policies in response to violent incidents. [An updated version titled 'Responding to violence in a mental health or learning disability care setting' was published in 2017].
Dual diagnosis public policy in a federal system: the Canadian experience
- Authors:
- GOUGH Heather, MORRIS Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(3), September 2012, pp.166-174.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article defines dual diagnosis as having both mental health needs and developmental disabilities. Individuals with dual diagnosis can have significant problems accessing appropriate and integrated care. Regional or national public policy is necessary for establishing effective mental health services for these individuals. The aim of this research was to review provincial/territorial statutes and regulations related to developmental disabilities and mental health/illness within the context of Canadian federal and national policy. A legislative scan was performed, encompassing statutes and regulations, followed by a search of government ministerial Web sites to identify policy. In addition, relevant persons within ministries were contacted for clarification and further information. The findings indicate that no province or territory within Canada currently has legislation regarding dual diagnosis; 4 have policies addressing dual diagnosis care. Some policies exclude people with disabilities from qualifying as having a psychiatric disorder, and some policies exclude people with certain types of psychiatric disorders. The patchwork of regional legislation and policy in Canada suggests that dual diagnosis care would be better facilitated if rights to such were enshrined within legislation.
Ten years plus of Total Communication
- Author:
- MILLER Nigel
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 105, Winter 2012/13, pp.14-16.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
The Speech and Language team of the Hywel Dda Local Health Board in Wales worked with services users to develop a Total Communication Strategy which could be implemented across three counties (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire) in Wales. The strategy aims to improve communication for service users with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. It is now formally recognised as a policy and is provided across all third sector homes, residential homes and tenancies, and social services and health setting. The package, which is briefly described, consists of: Total Communication training; signing training; making information accessible training; and separate training to cover specialist communication needs of services users with profound and multiple disabilities. Within each location there is a designated Total Communication coordinator who takes the role of promoting communication. A website has also been developed for service users.