The assessment of risk and safety in mental health services

This UK study examines which risk assessment tools are currently used in mental health services, with a focus on how effectively they were used prior to patient suicide. We are also speaking with mental health professionals, service users and carers about the effectiveness of risk assessment tools and their experience of risk and safety assessment.

More specifically, the objectives of the study are:
- to determine the views of mental health professionals, service users and carers on the use of risk assessment tools and safety planning in mental health services and how their use might be improved;
- to explore which risk assessment tools are currently being used in mental health services in the UK; and
- to examine how these tools are being used prior to suicide, especially in people who have been rated as at low or no risk of suicide at their final contact with a mental health professional.

The study was commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) and a report was published in October 2018.