Maat Probe Group campaign for Respect

Story: Otis Hinds, SACMHA supporting Maat Probe Group

Photo: Carl Rose

Mental health campaigners Maat Probe Group continue to fight hard to have Respect (de-escalation rather than restraint) used nationally. In August last year they went to Whitehall to talk to Health Trusts from around the country and in October they took part in an IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) event to review work around deaths in custody.

There is no national policy on restraint even though the mental health service equivalent of Stephen Lawrence, ie the death of Rocky Bennett and subsequent inquiry, occurred over 10 years ago. Nationally there has been very little progress. As a result of Maat Probe Group’s campaigning, Respect was successfully introduced to Sheffield health settings in 2012. As a result Sheffield patients when they become unwell do not experience the dangerous and undignified prone position. We will not have our arms twisted behind our shoulders, or our thumbs twisted back when we are deemed to be aggressive. This is why Sheffield service users should support the Maat Probe Group's next big project which is the evaluation of Respect starting in January 2014.

Respect, which is centred on de-escalation and holds which do not cause pain, has been in Sheffield for 18 months. As part of the evaluation we would like to speak to service user who have been an in-patient in Sheffield in the last 18 months, and may also have been in hospital prior to Respect coming into the wards; so we may able to get a comparison.

We will be working in partnership with the Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust to gather information on the wards. Also the Maat Probe Group will be hosting various live music events around the city which will be called ‘From the ward to the stage’. The groups' band will play an uplifting reggae music set. This will give service users the opportunity to fill out the evaluation questionnaire and get involved in some of the work that the Maat Probe Group has been involved in and so improve the services for all of us. The report for the evaluation could provide the evidence that the government requires for there be to be a national policy on restraint, with Respect being rolled out across the country.

We would like service users to contact us if they or someone they know could get involved in the evaluation. Maat Probe Group are working with Mind, Sod it, and NSUN (Network for Mental Health) to organise a networking event on the 19th February 2014, 10.30am to 3.30pm Burngreave Vestry Hall. The event will bringing together people with experience of mental health problems to share their experience, knowledge and opinions. There will also be a chance to take part in Maat Probe Group’s research.

From the ward to the stage –

6th February Harland Café, John Street, 5.30-7.30pm.

Come along to enjoy the music and get involved in Maat Probe Groups research.