It has only just finished its pilot period, however, the digital safety plan is already making a positive impact with service users and staff.
The digital plans were praised by service users with responses including:
- “Much more information on it than the paper one”;
- “It’s like a CPN in my pocket anytime I need it”;
- “It engages lots of my senses – sound, touch and sight which really helps me”;
- “I feel like it’s really just mine and not bog standard issue”;
- “I never used my old one before when I was out but now I’m just looking at my phone like everyone else”;
- “It engages all my senses which is really important to me”;
- “I think it is really helpful for people who are aware of their illness and know their symptoms”;
- “Links have been helpful for other services”;
- “I have gained a lot from using the electronic plan as it includes sensory elements which have a significant impact on my mental health”.
Each plan has hyperlinks to supports such as NHS24/Breathing Space to encourage a digital approach to managing distress. The digital element also allows the service user to take ownership and encourages self-management of symptoms while providing easier access to a plan that can be used any time or place.
Karen McCaffrey, associate nurse director, mental health and learning disabilities, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “Staff and service users develop safety plans together as a means of helping them identify their coping strategies and protective factors for use in combating suicidal thoughts.
“This was being done on paper, however, we found that patients were losing them, seldom referred to them unless prompted and were unlikely to have them outside the home.
“Evidence and patient feedback tell us the paper safety plans are useful in the first instance for supporting individuals explore what helps them and mitigate possible triggers to their negative thinking.
“This is an excellent example of staff listening to service users, being committed to explore new ways of working and embracing positive change.”
