Promoting positive risk management: evaluation of a risk management panel

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a National Health Service Trust risk management panel (RMP) service was effective in promoting positive risk management by supporting mental health clinicians/teams in their management of people with mental health problems who presented with high risk of harm to themselves or to others. Fifteen mental health workers completed a questionnaire regarding their experience of the RMP. Content analysis revealed several themes. The majority of participants found the RMP helpful because of the support provided by shared case discussion and collective responsibility for risk management offered by the RMP. Medical records of the 23 individuals referred into the RMP were also examined. Trends in diagnoses, risks and RMP recommendations were identified. This study points to the importance of the organization's role alongside the individual clinician's in positive risk management and in supporting people with mental health problems using the recovery model. Improvements in developing a RMP are suggested.