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

9. Substances on the ward – Appendices B and C

In instances where substances are brought onto the inpatient ward, the primary concern should always be the preservation of the safety of all staff and patients, including those thought to be in possession of the substance. This requires clinical staff to take steps to minimise the risk of substances being ingested by patients or shared with other patients. The charts in Appendices B and C set out the steps that should be taken by the various professionals in responding to this. However, the clinical teams will be required to make judgements about safeguarding vulnerable adults beyond the steps within this guidance.