Staff-led innovation wins 2 national Patient Safety Awards

A simple idea developed by an Occupational Therapy Apprentice has won 2 national Patient Safety Awards for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

The trust’s Minimal Risk Activity Pack (MRAP) project was named winner of both the Early-Stage Patient Safety Innovation of the Year and Mental Health Safety Improvement Award at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards.

The HSJ judging panel described MRAP as “a simple but brilliant idea” that had made a “significant clinical impact”, highlighting how meaningful improvements in patient safety do not necessarily require complex or expensive solutions.

MRAP was developed by Occupational Therapy Apprentice Kate Merlini-Moorcroft after listening to women who had experienced self-harm. Kate then took the idea through the trust’s internal innovation programme, The Innovation Den, developing it into a practical intervention providing safe, calming and meaningful activities for patients.

Kate said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the Minimal Risk Activity Pack project has received these awards. The idea came from listening to patients, who told us that self-harm often comes from feeling low, empty or out of control. The packs give patients something positive to focus on when they need it most. It’s a simple idea, but one that has made a real difference, so it’s wonderful to see that recognised nationally.”

The MRAP packs contain creative, self-care, sensory and distraction activities designed for use in acute psychiatric settings. HSJ highlighted their role in helping to ground distressed patients, reduce boredom, promote inclusion and support wellbeing.

The trust was also a finalist in 3 further categories:

• Improving Medicines Safety Award – recognising the pharmacy team’s work integrating pharmacists and pharmacy technicians into community mental health teams.
• Improving Safety for Older People Initiative of the Year – recognising the Kent & Medway Provider Collaborative’s Dementia Diagnosis Transformation Partnership.
• Best Use of Integrated Care and Partnership Working in Patient Safety Award – also recognising the Dementia Diagnosis Transformation Partnership. 

Julie Kirby, Acting Chief Nurse for Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust, said:
“This evening showcased so much of what we are about as a trust, recognising and encouraging innovation and improvement, strengthening partnership working and, above all, keeping patient safety at the heart of everything we do.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in all 5 entries. To come away with 2 awards is a huge achievement and something we should all be proud of.

“A massive thank you and congratulations to all the teams and colleagues who have worked so hard to make these improvements happen. Your commitment, creativity and passion for improving care really shine through.”

The 2 national awards and 3 finalist places reflect the progress being made through the trust’s five-year strategy, Doing well together, with a focus on making care safer, more consistent and more joined-up.