Implementation of the Safewards model in public mental health facilities: A qualitative evaluation of staff perceptions

This study highlights some difficulties with implementing Safewards and maintaining fidelity of the Safewards interventions in busy acute inpatient wards. Although these findings are from a qualitative study consisting of only 15 staff, our results indicate that efforts to implement Safewards need to address challenges faced by staff in engaging with the interventions, ensure buy-in from management, ensure adequate training and support during implementation and review training materials to ensure they fit with the local (i.e. Australian) context. Safewards provides an opportunity for a change in attitudes and development of a more therapeutic ward environment.