Restorative Just and Learning Culture
Between November 2022 and June 2024, the CEC Mental Health Patient Safety Program supported Local Health Districts and Specialty Health Networks in their efforts to develop and shift safety culture, leadership commitment and quality improvement capability to improve the safety and quality of care of people who are suicidal as part of the Zero Suicides in Care (ZSiC) initiative.
A key focus of this work was supporting LHD/SHNs to develop a strong safety culture with particular focus on restorative, just and learning approaches. Restorative responses aim to heal harm and address impacts on relationship, building trust and confidence in each other and the system. This approach is mindful of the potential for compounding harm to patients, families and staff. A number of symposiums and workshops were held in 2022, 2023 and 2024 which were well attended by a number of LHD/SHNs.
Although this work is not ongoing, a number of resources have been developed to support LHD/SHNs interested in furthering this work at a local level.
Practical guides
- Guide to Co-developing a Restorative Just and Learning Safety Culture (CEC)
- Improving Patient Safety Culture – a practical guide (NHS England)
- Supporting team members after the suicide of a patient (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists)
- Supporting mental health staff following the death of a patient by suicide: A prevention and postvention framework
(The Royal College of Psychiatrists).