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Inpatient mental health services can be challenging environments for staff and patients.  Accreditation for Inpatient Mental Health Services (AIMS) is an initiative from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Centre for Quality Improvement which identifies and acknowledges services which have high standards of organisation and patient care, and supports and enables others to achieve these.

 

 

 

 

*** NEW WORK - STANDARDS NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD ***

 

Safe and Appropriate Care for Young People on Adult Mental Health Wards (AIMS-SC4Y)

 

We have now published the Second Edition of our standards for safe and appropriate care for young people on adult mental health wards and are recruiting wards to join the AIMS-SC4Y scheme.

 

If you are a non-AIMS member and would like to know more about the accreditation process, benefits of membership, and ways to join, please see our Information Sheet and Joining Form, or click on the title above to go to the AIMS-SC4Y web page.

 

Alternatively, if you are a current AIMS member (about to start your cycle or are in the middle of a cycle) please contact us now and we will be able to advise you on how best to include the SC4Y process into your stage of the accreditation cycle.

 

 

*** COMING SOON - AIMS FOR REHABILITATION UNITS (AIMS-REHAB) ***

 

We are developing a version of AIMS for inpatient rehabilitation units.  If you are interested in being part of the development of this, please get in touch - AIMS-Rehab@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk.

 

 

 

*** NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD ***

*** NATIONAL REPORT FOR WORKING AGE ADULT WARDS - JULY 2007-JULY 2009 ***

 

 

 

 

There are currently six versions of AIMS.  Please follow the links below to submit data, or to download a copy of the relevant joining form and/or standards document.

 

If you are submitting data, you will need to use the correct tools, and you will need to know the correct Username and Password.  Please contact us if you do not know these, or you have any other queries about using the data collection tools: AIMS@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk.

 

 

 
  • AIMS-WA for working-age adult admission wards

 
  • AIMS-AT for assessment/triage wards

 

  
 

 

 

  • AIMS-OP for wards for older people

 

 

 

  • AIMS-PICU for psychiatric intensive care units

 

  
 

 

 

  • AIMS-LD for inpatient learning disability services

 

 

  • AIMS-SC4Y for safe and appropriate care for young people on adult wards

 

  

 

 

Completed Joining Forms can be returned to us by fax (020 7481 4831) or by post to the address below.

 

 

 

 

Other Key Documents

 

 

 

 

Additional Documents

 

  • Members - Details of all services that are members of AIMS, together with their current accreditation status (last updated 24/2/10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Details for the AIMS Project Team

 

Joanne Cresswell

Programme Manager/Nurse Advisor

Tel: 020 7977 4994

Fax: 020 7481 4831

Email: jcresswell@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

 

Mark Beavon

Deputy Programme Manager
Tel: 020 7977 6694

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: mbeavon@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

  

Graham Hinchcliffe

Deputy Programme Manager
Tel: 020 7977 6643

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: ghinchcliffe@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

  

 

For AIMS-LD:

Suzie Lemmey, Project Worker
Tel: 020 7977 6645

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: slemmey@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

  

For AIMS-OP:

Rachel Barrett, Project Worker
Tel: 020 7977 6993

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: rbarrett@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

  
 

For AIMS-WA and AIMS-AT:

Sarah Bleksley, Project Worker
Tel: 020 7977 6647

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: sbleksley@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

  

For AIMS-PICU:

Naomi Glover, Project Worker
Tel: 020 7977 6695

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: nglover@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

  

 

   For AIMS-SC4Y:

Sabrina Kamayah, Project Worker
Tel: 020 7977 6992

Fax: 020 7481 4831
Email: sdkamayah@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

  

 

 

Royal College of Psychiatrists' Centre for Quality Improvement
4th Floor, Standon House
21 Mansell Street
London E1 8AA

AIMS@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

 

 

The AIMS Accreditation Process

 

The AIMS accreditation process incorporates elements that research has demonstrated to be effective in bringing about quality improvement.  It gives encouragement to identify and prioritise problems and set achievable targets for change.  Membership of AIMS can help wards meet the Healthcare Commission’s Standards for Better Health and to conform to NICE guidelines and National Service Frameworks.

 

Member services are supported through a 12-month review process that incorporates:

 

  • self-review, including carer, patient and staff questionnaires;
  • a one day peer-review visit;
  • a recommendation of accreditation status by the AIMS Accreditation Advisory Committee;
  • ratification of accreditation status by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Education, Training and Standards Committee.

 

Accreditation is valid for up to four years, subject to satisfactory completion of an annual self-review.

 

 

Key Principles

 

Credible and comprehensive

AIMS is working in partnership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Nursing, the British Psychological Society, the College of Occupational Therapists and (for AIMS-PICU) the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units and Low Secure Units.  The AIMS standards are drawn from a wide range of authoritative sources, and cover all aspects of the inpatient journey.

 

Engaging stakeholders

The processes of self- and peer-review engage all staff, patients and their carers.  Stakeholders work together to improve standards.

 

Developmental

Services that do not meet accreditation standards are given advice and supported with action planning.  Those that do are encouraged to aspire towards excellence.

 

 

Benefits of Joining AIMS

 

  • Allows achievements of staff to be recognised.
  • Provides detailed advice and support about areas in need of improvement.
  • Helps prepare for external regulation for bodies such as the Care Quality Commission.
  • Maintains a national network to improve communication.
  • Provides opportunities to visit other services and share ideas and suggestions.
  • Email discussion group.
  • Newsletter.
  • Quality assured service for patients.

 
© 2010 Royal College of Psychiatrists