RCN welcomes new acute mental health guidance for women
Published: 18 July 2008
The RCN has welcomed the publication of ‘Informed Gender Practice, Mental Health Acute Care That Works for Women’. The guidance focuses on the issues of appropriate care for women who are acutely ill and how that differs from care given to men.
The RCN said that the guidance highlights the importance of equality practices in mental health care and should enable women to receive support tailored specifically to their needs.
Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary, of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
“We are particularly keen to support this initiative as it is compatible with RCN values and our 8 Principles for Practice which promote effective and meaningful mental healthcare services for women.
Nurses also acknowledge the vital role they have to play in ensuring that women are able to access services which are safe, provide choice, address experiences of violence and abuse, and promote well-being and recovery approaches.
This guidance is an effective resource which will be of great use to busy mental health professionals trying to deliver high quality, gender specific care.”
The publication was produced jointly by NIMHE/CSIP Gender Equality & Women's Mental Health Programme, the Acute Care Programme and the Royal College of Nursing.
The issue had previously been highlighted in the Women's Mental Health Strategy.