Members Of Staff Working Research Articles

Systems and Processes that Enable Progress for Older Forensic Mental Health Patients

Older forensic mental health patients have complex needs and requirements; service provision is required to address mental health, offending risk and issues associated with aging (geriatric care). This study aimed to identify the systems and processes that enable valued progress (in terms of quality of life, health, wellbeing, recovery and reduced risk) for older forensic mental health patients. Interviews were conducted with 48 members of staff working with these patients in secure hospitals or the community. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Four overarching themes were identified regarding what facilitated or acted as a barrier in relation to quality of life, health, wellbeing and recovery. Multidisciplinary input, an individualized approach and implementing holistic and needs-led care was found to facilitate progress. However, lack of resources, excluding the patients in care planning, gaps in expertise and knowledge, and a lack of specialized units that could address mental health, forensic and elderly needs were found to be barriers. Extensive, multilevel and wide-ranging support is required specifically for older forensic mental health patients. Joint working is required between older adult and forensic mental health services incorporating geriatric medicine expertise in order to implement co-produced care and treatment plans.

Does influenza vaccination help reduce incidence of COVID-19 infection among hospital employees?

To facilitate the understanding of the interaction between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causing the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other pathogens causing respiratory system affection we investigated the effect of influenza vaccination on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 among members of staff working in the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital.All staff members working in the hospital between February 2020 and March 2021 were divided into 2 main groups based on whether or not they received influenza vaccination. None of the participants had received any of the COVID-19 vaccines throughout this time period. The records of each were scrutinized to see the effect of influenza vaccination on incidence and severity of COVID-19. Severity measures were: need for hospital and intensive care unit admission and total length of hospital stay.Incidence of affection with COVID-19 was much lower in the vaccinated group (3.7% vs 8.1%, P < .001). Influenza vaccination also reduced total length of hospital stay (6.2 days vs 12.7 days, P < .05) and need for intensive care unit admission among the patients.Influenza vaccine reduces both the incidence of affection as well as the overall burden of COVID-19. This is of particular importance for people working in the healthcare field during the serious COVID-19 pandemic.

Remote care for mental health: qualitative study with service users, carers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences of service users, carers and staff seeking or providing secondary mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignQualitative interview study, codesigned with mental health service users and...

The ethical implications of digitisation of the Alan Paton Centre struggle archives

The fluid development of technology has led to the re-ontologising of systems and the need for archivists and manuscript librarians to change the ways in which they carry out their duties by adapting trends, which include digitisation. This entails professionals changing the way they accomplish their traditional practised values, inclusive of new ethical challenges. This article examines the ethical implications of the digitisation of archival records in a special collection creating new formats of records. In Africa, a number of such projects fail due to lack of proper strategies and planning, unethical practices, lack of harmonised guidelines, frameworks and standards. The intricacies of the digitisation of special records need archivists to assess what they do and the consequences of their actions in order to protect the integrity and authenticity of the record as well as to provide access to it and ensure its preservation. A mixed method approach was used to investigate this case study. Three members of staff working on the digitisation project were interviewed and an observation checklist was also used to examine 114 records that had been digitised. The study revealed that the fundamental ethical challenge emanated from legislation not catering for the governing of private archives in South Africa. In addition, the study also revealed that the archive had only a draft digitisation policy for the current and continued preservation of and access to these records now and in the future. The project lacks clear direction.

Ageing in forensic psychiatric secure settings: the views of members of staff

ABSTRACTBackground: Although the prevalence of older patients in forensic psychiatric services is increasing, research around service provision for this population is very limited. We aimed to gather the views of members of staff on how well secure services are meeting the challenges of an ageing population.Methods: Three focus groups were carried out with 13 members of staff working with older patients in secure services. A topic guide, based on the research team’s previous research, guided the sessions. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis.Results: Two themes were identified: (1) Identifying patients’ needs, which focused on how promptly any emerging issues in the older patients are identified and reported; (2) addressing patients’ needs, which focused on how the unique needs of the older patients are addressed, once established.Conclusions: There are unique age-related issues that may have an impact on the older patients’ opportunities for recovery, including a lack of specialist training for members of staff, prolonged stay in secure care and a limited number of age-relevant activities. Far from optimal, provision requires improvement through the active involvement of the primary stakeholders.

The Foundation Pharmacist Project: exploring new models of dual-sector postgraduate pharmacy training.

To explore the experiences of primary care-based professional stakeholders in a dual-sector training programme for foundation pharmacists. Professional stakeholders were defined as foundation pharmacists or members of staff working with foundation pharmacists such as general medical or nurse practitioners and administrative staff. Stakeholders were invited to participate via email and through gatekeepers. Participants were asked how they were involved in the training pathway, what their experiences had been and what they hoped for the future. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using computer software. Twenty-eight face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Five major themes were identified (1) benefits of integration (2) appropriateness of the work (3) perceived impact (4) identity development and (5) training and peer support. These findings outline participants' experiences of establishing a scope of practice in primary and secondary care settings and developing mechanisms to negotiate non-prescriber status to save general practitioners, practice nurse, community pharmacy and administrator time. Foundation pharmacists were able to develop a professional identity whilst working in each care setting, highlighting the dominance of hospital pharmacy exposure in clinical knowledge acquisition and establishing a community of practice across organisational and geographical boundaries using WhatsApp as a peer support tool. Foundation pharmacists are able to work within their own competencies in two different care settings, developing scopes of practice and contributing clinically to service provision. This work provides evidence that this type of training pathway can offer an appropriate landscape for pharmacy practitioner development. Further work is needed to explore the longitudinal outcomes of the programme.

Characteristics of patients with mental disorders in a Slovene prison: A retrospective observational naturalistic study

Background and objectivesThe prevalence of mental disorders in EU prisons is high. Little is known about provision of care in Eastern and Central European countries, particularly in former Yugoslavian countries. The aim of this study was to assess diagnoses, characteristics and care provision of prisoners diagnosed with mental disorders in the psychiatric outpatient clinic in the biggest Slovene male prison Dob. MethodsPrison psychiatrist collected data on psychiatric diagnosis, suicide rates and care provision from patients’ medical records and charts. In addition, interviews were performed with leading representatives of service organization, members of staff working in psychiatric outpatient clinic, and prison guards. ResultsOut of 520 prisoners, 220 (42.3%) were involved in treatment in psychiatric outpatient clinic and all were included in this research. The data were gathered in 2016. The most prevalent diagnosis was addiction disorder in 82.7% (182) of all patients. Out of them only 24 (10.9%) were diagnosed with alcohol addiction. 94 prisoners (42.7%) were on substitution therapy because of drug addiction. The point prevalence of psychotic disorders was 7.3%, 10.0% for mood disorders and 15.9% for anxiety disorders. Personality disorders were diagnosed in 19.5% of all patients. Co-morbidity was diagnosed in 80 patients (36.4%). There were no suicides in the prison Dob in the period between 2012 and 2016. In this period strong and systematic anti-suicide measures have been already established and applied in the prison. The prison suicide prevention plan is described. ConclusionsThe prevalence of addiction disorders in Slovene prison is high. Absence of suicides in the four year period indicates that quality of suicide prevention measures in prison Dob.

EFFECT OF SELECTED FACTORS AFFECTING REVENUE COLLECTION IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the factors affecting revenue collection in Nairobi City County Government.Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of a total of 340 members of staff working as chief officers, technical staff and members of Nairobi City County assembly. The sample size was determined using the Fischer's formula. The sample size for the study was 180 which was distributed proportionately among the strata. The study used a survey questionnaire as a research instrument. Data collected was analyzed with the help of SPSS by both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were presented in form of tables and graphs. The study adopted a multivariate regression.Results: The study found that revenue diversification affect revenue collected through number of sources of revenue and new policies to a great extent. Tax administration affects revenue in Nairobi City County through competent staff, availability of computers, and availability of postal communication system and tax education. Tax structure affects revenue collection through flexibility, equitability, neutrality and simplicity while different forms of revenue (property, business license) affect amount of revenue collected. Revenue diversification had a positive and significant relationship with amount of revenue collected whereas different forms of revenue collected had positive and significant effect on amount of revenue collected in Nairobi City County.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends on the use of latest technology and competent staff in tax administration, also there should be more innovations to have diversified sources of revenues in Nairobi City County in order to collect more revenue. The financial managers and policy makers in Nairobi City County assembly should come up with new sources of revenues and taxes that obey the canon law of taxation that is economical, simple, flexible and easy to administer.

Perceptions of professional drug treatment staff in England about client barriers to narcotics anonymous attendance

A growing body of research evidence shows that Twelve Step Group (TSG) attendance confers a consistent moderate beneficial effect on substance use. Clinicians potentially represent a major referral pathway to TSG. This qualitative study aimed to explore staff perceptions of the barriers to Narcotics Anonymous (NA) group attendance in a population receiving drug treatment, and potential strategies to increase attendance. A cross-sectional survey of substance misuse treatment professionals was conducted between January and April 2012 in Birmingham, England. Fifty-eight members of staff working within statutory community drug treatment teams were interviewed using qualitative research methods. The overarching themes within the staff accounts are described and the importance of these themes explored. Perceived objections to core elements of the 12 step programme (religious nature of the programme, powerlessness, surrender, desire to stop using drugs) were major obstacles to recommending NA attendance. However, a perception that the client would object to any form of group process, and concerns about risk both to the client and the TSG members were also important. Increased education about TSG practices and procedures was a commonly cited strategy for increasing levels of TSG referral, and in particular ensuring that clinicians attend open meetings themselves. An increased understanding and familiarity with the process and principles of TSGs may be necessary to increase promotion of TSG within drug treatment services in line with recent national policy promoting recovery from drug use.

When and why is blood crossmatched?

This study was undertaken to provide data relating to the timing of laboratory crossmatch procedures, and the source of requests for out of hours crossmatch, to support interpretation of error reports originating in the transfusion laboratory, received by the Serious Hazards of Transfusion haemovigilance scheme. Data on the timing, origin and urgency of all crossmatch requests were collected in 34 hospitals in northern England over a 7-day period in 2008. Additional data on clinical urgency were collected on crossmatches that were performed out of hours. Data were obtained on 2423 crossmatches, including 610 (25.2%) performed outside core hours. 30.3% of out of hours crossmatch requests were for transfusions that were set up outside 4 h of completion of the crossmatch. 2008 Serious Hazards of Transfusion data showed that 29/39 (74%) of laboratory errors resulting in 'wrong blood' occurred out of hours whilst our audit shows that only 25% of crossmatch requests are made in that time period, suggesting that crossmatching performed outside core hours carries increased risks. The reason for increased risk of error needs further research, but 25 laboratories had only one member of staff working out of hours, often combining blood transfusion, haematology and coagulation work. A total of 25% of out of hours requests were not clinically urgent. Hospitals should develop policies to define indications for out of hours transfusion testing, empower laboratory staff to challenge inappropriate requests and ensure that staffing and expertise is appropriate for the workload at all times.

An investigation into the perceived stressors for staff working in the hospice service

This article reports on the findings of phase two of a study into stress and coaching needs in two hospices in the United Kingdom. Phase one was a cross-sectional study to assess the levels of stress and the main stressors as experienced by members of staff working within these two hospices. Phase two of the study uses qualitative methodology with the purpose of obtaining a deeper understanding of the stressors as experienced by hospice staff. Two focus groups were held, one at each hospice, and the data were analysed using grounded theory as its theoretical framework. A further aim of the current study was to identify coaching needs among this staff group in order to develop a tailor-made coaching programme for this service.

The management of substance misuse on psychiatric inpatient wards — a policy to promote effective good practice

As the use of drugs and alcohol by clients accessing mental health services becomes increasingly common, members of staff working within psychiatric inpatient areas often encounter drug and alcohol misuse among their client group. The safe and effective management of this issue has become a priority for many inpatient services. This paper outlines a policy for the management of substance misuse on psychiatric inpatient wards developed by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust. The fundamental principles underpinning the policy are highlighted, and the key sections of the policy are described. There is a detailed description of how the policy has been applied in practice by members of staff working on inpatient wards, with clinical examples being presented.

Cultural sensitivity in forensic services: findings from an audit of South London forensic inpatient services

This paper summarises the key findings from an audit using the Cultural Sensitivity Audit Tool for Mental Health Services (The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, 2001) to evaluate the views of service-users and staff in a South London Forensic Inpatient Service. Forty-one service-users and 47 members of staff working in the service took part in the audit. Staff completed the tool as a questionnaire, and service-users were interviewed. The majority of staff believed that black and minority ethnic patient groups were over-represented in the service, and many attributed this to misunderstandings of culture. Staff identified gaps in their training on race and culture; none of the staff believed they had received all the training required. Nevertheless, service-users highlighted culturally sensitive and effective aspects of the service, and many believed their cultural needs were understood. Given this disparity, the authors question whether the large emphasis on the cultural sensitivity of services is something service-providers are more concerned about than our service-users; and whether a greater focus on service quality, of which cultural sensitivity is one aspect, would be more helpful.

Mindful Staff Can Reduce the Use of Physical Restraints When Providing Care to Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Background The use of physical restraints has generated immense controversy in the delivery of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The current zeitgeist is that effective positive approaches obviate the need for using physical restraints. In a multiple baseline design, we sought to assess how training staff members in mindfulness affected their use of physical restraints for aggressive and destructive behaviours of individuals with intellectual disabilities.Methods Twenty‐three members of staff working in four group homes participated in a 12‐week mindfulness‐training programme. Objective data were collected on the number of incidents, staff observations of incidents, staff verbal redirections, restraints used, Stat medications administered, staff injuries and peer injuries. Data were collected during baseline, mindfulness training and mindfulness practice phases.Results As mindfulness training progressed, the use of restraints decreased, with almost no use being recorded by the end of the study. Any use of physical restraints was correlated with new admissions and on‐call staff who had not received training in mindfulness. Stat medications administered also decreased and staff and peer injuries were close to zero levels during the latter stages of mindfulness practice.Conclusions Data from this initial study suggest that staff training in mindfulness is potentially beneficial to both staff and the individuals with intellectual disabilities, particularly in reducing the use of physical restraints and Stat medication for aggressive and destructive behaviours.

Scenarios Management and administration

You are a newly qualified member of staff working in the local pre-school. You are well known in the community and are familiar with most of the families whose children attend the pre-school. You know the supervisor and have been looking forward to working in the pre-school with her and the other staff.

No substitute for scholarship, an in-service role for university teachers

Abstract

The Staff College

The idea of the Staff College is to select from technical colleges the most promising members of staff working at the higher levels who are likely to be concerned with the organisation and direction of teaching and to put them alongside staff of parallel quality from industry, commerce, the universities, schools and administration for a period of residential study away from their normal daily commitments.