A new paradigm for mental-health quality and safety: are we ready?

Development of a Mental Health Quality and Safety Framework with co-designed priority areas for improvement.

A qualitative and inductive approach was utilised, including a literature search, consultations with staff and focus groups with consumers and carers.

Thematic analysis resulted in 32 categories, grouped into seven key themes. Combined with the evidence base, these were distilled into component parts of the Framework.

A change in strategy and culture is required, balancing a traditionally centralised top-down approach to health care governance and improvement, with a complementary localised bottom-up model that embeds improvement science principles involving frontline staff, consumers and carers. This Framework, that centres on patient safety and quality improvement, in combination with a corresponding cultural change, can enhance clinical outcomes, service efficiency, staff morale and staff retention rates.