Tucker, Laura, Moran, Nicola Elizabeth orcid.org/0000-0002-6219-0394, Naughton-Doe, Ruth Jennifer orcid.org/0000-0003-2683-3476 et al. (3 more authors) (2025) Supporting unpaid carers during section 17 leave from mental health in-patient wards:carer and practitioner perspectives. BJPsych Open. e71. ISSN 2056-4724
Abstract
Background Care planning for recovery and to work towards hospital discharge is integral to good practice in mental health in-patient settings. Authorised leave from hospital, especially for those who are detained, can be used to check readiness for discharge and to maintain social connections that support a patient’s recovery journey. Leave therefore often involves friends and family, or ‘carers’. However, carer involvement in planning leave is limited, and carers struggle with feeling unsupported during the leave. Aims This study aimed to explore carers’ and mental health practitioners’ subjective experiences of leave in the context of implementing a set of practice guidelines for involving carers in planning and undertaking leave from hospital. Method Nine wards in six National Health Service trusts were recruited to implement the guidelines. Interviews were undertaken with carers (n = 6) and practitioners (n = 3) from these implementation wards and with carers (n = 7) from nine usual care wards. A further ten practitioners completed an anonymous online survey. Data were analysed thematically. Results Carers’ experiences on both implementation and usual care wards indicated variable levels of involvement, with carers positioned as partners in care, observers of care or outsiders to care. Practitioner perspectives highlighted practical, structural and conceptual challenges in working with carers, which precluded effective implementation of the guidelines. Conclusions The guidelines reflected what both carers and practitioners described as good practice, but resource limitations, unclear responsibilities and perceptions of carer roles limited engagement. Implementing approaches to working with carers in in-patient settings requires resourcing and clear role definition within staff–carer relationships.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s), 2025. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Social Policy and Social Work (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 26 Mar 2025 15:50 |
Last Modified: | 26 Mar 2025 15:50 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.16 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1192/bjo.2025.16 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:224902 |
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Description: Supporting unpaid carers during section 17 leave from mental health in-patient wards: carer and practitioner perspectives
Licence: CC-BY 2.5