Developing a thematic ward atmosphere tool to improve staff and patient well-being in acute mental health settings

The atmosphere on inpatient mental health wards has a crucial role in the overall well-being of staff and patients. Several studies have sought to understand the factors that contribute to the atmosphere of a ward and how they can be measured. As part of a wider initiative looking at the complexity of one of its mental health wards, staff at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust wanted to develop a ward atmosphere tool that could meaningfully support its staff and patients. This article discusses how elements of existing tools and best practice were combined with an understanding of the ward’s characteristics to create a new conversation-led tool to meet the needs of the whole ward. Designed for use in daily safety huddles, the tool directly addresses challenges on the ward and supports national and trust-level clinical policies to improve the experience of staff and patients.