Substance use amongst inpatients on mental health wards: practical guide for mental health services

7. Ensuring a safe response

To ensure that staff are equipped to respond safely to substance use on the inpatient wards, each hospital should:

• Ensure all staff are aware of this guidance and any other associated documents, and have the necessary training to respond to instances of substance use, including trauma training.
• Ensure all staff have a working knowledge of Specified Person provisions under the Mental Health Act legislation and its parameters.
• Utilise existing ward search policies which clearly describe the circumstances in which searches may be undertaken and how to conduct these safely and lawfully.
• Have a system in place to train all clinical staff working in inpatient settings in the recognition of opiate overdose and the administration of Naloxone.
• Have clear processes for escalating concerns and seeking senior medical review where this is indicated.
• Have a clear procedure for the storage, chain of custody and (where appropriate) destruction of suspicious substances.