Trauma & Physical Health: Is There a Relationship in Secure Services?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration into the Relationship Between Trauma and Physical Health in Forensic Inpatients.
IRAS ID
323127
Contact name
Gail Wingham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Elysium Healthcare
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This is a replication of an unpublished study previously conducted in Broadmoor Hospital high secure services (IRAS number: 263042), passed by an NHS ethics committee in 2019.
The irrefutable connection of exposure to trauma and long-term adverse mental health outcomes provides a compelling evidence base for inpatient services to become ‘trauma informed’ (Muskett, 2013). To be ‘trauma informed’ means to promote compassionate environments where a service users’ traumatic experiences are considered by all staff to ensure best practice and avoid re-traumatisation.
This study aims to further build upon the breadth of research into trauma informed care (TIC), by asking ‘Is there an association between trauma and physical health outcomes in forensic inpatient populations?’. Existing research has consistently shown that individuals with serious mental illness have elevated rates of chronic diseases, in comparison to the general population (Baxter et al., 2018). By researching specifically forensic patients, this study will help influence TIC in forensic settings, whilst working with the NHS’ goal of improving physical health, including obesity.
The services being studied are Farmfield Hospital, Wellesley Hospital and Thornford Park. These three hospitals provide specialist medium and low secure services, in collaboration with NHS England. The patients have a diagnosis of personality disorder and/or mental illness that warrants sectioning under the Mental Health Act 1983 (revised in 2007).
Measures will include history of trauma obtained from each patients HCR-20 V3 risk assessment report, and physical health measures including BMI, blood pressure, number of physical health appointments in the last year, and presence of chronic disease. These will be obtained from each patients Carenotes.
The study will last 9 months, from January 2023 till September 2023. Patients will not be required to take part in the study, as existing data previously collected from patients by trained professionals will be gathered and analysed.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0101
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion