Clinical Governance in Mental Health and Learning Disability Services: A Practical Guide

This practical handbook describes the foundations and the key elements of clinical governance as they apply to mental health and learning disability services. Key topics include: service user involvement; clinical audit; clinical risk management; evidence-based practice; information management; staffing; and education and training.

These issues have special relevance to mental health and learning disability services, which often engage a more varied staff than many others. Difficulties may arise when viewpoints diverge, as might be the case between health, social services and criminal justice professionals.

Above all, user and carer involvement calls for special insights. Patients and carers are often vulnerable and misunderstood: the protection of their rights calls for skills of advocacy and communication.

Two sets of standards that describe the structures and strategies required to implement clinical governance, and ways managers can support their front-line staff, are provided.