John Baker

How effective is community mental health nursing? Together with my colleague Anna Hegedüs, I have published one of the largest studies in this field. Based on routine data, we utilized a relatively unknown epidemiological methodology: the mirror image design. #nursing #psychscisky

January’s publication round up January has already seen a number of papers published, highlighting a huge effort by many collaborators across the world: here are some of the highlights from this month.Firstly, a result of a huge…

January’s publication round up drjohnabaker.co.uk/2026/01/22/j...

Stopping Oxevision: An update and a request for your help Eight NHS Trusts have stopped their use of Oxevision – following a national patient-led campaign, a statutory public inquiry and significant press coverage – now is the time for the remainder to ta…

Stopping Oxevision: An update and a request for your help

stopoxevision.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/s...

New publication 📚: Resistant. Insistent. Persistent.
A global call for mental health nursing leadership, visibility and self-determination.
Mental health nurses are nearly half the global workforce. It’s time we lead from the centre.
#MentalHealthNursing onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

When harmful items are restricted in secure wards, people may turn to headbanging as self-injury 😔

This 5-year study of 421 patients found headbanging was most common in younger females with EUPD.

Most incidents were rated as low harm, but the study doesn't explore why it happens.

🧵 THREAD

Rethinking our #Staffedwards project through the eyes of those with lived experience. One of the highlights of the research so far has been in the Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PPIE) work we have undertaken. The involvement of those who have experienc…

Rethinking our #Staffedwards project through the eyes of those with lived experience. drjohnabaker.co.uk/2026/01/07/r...

Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery Although the prevalence of swallowing difficulties in adults with mental health conditions has been highlighted in research, the relationship between swallowing difficulties and psychosocial aspects ...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Happy to share this as a good start to a new year @lypftresearch.bsky.social @peterdjust.bsky.social @bronwynhemsley.bsky.social @hazelroddam.bsky.social @markjayes.bsky.social @arc-yharc.bsky.social @drjohnabaker.bsky.social
@janeeball.bsky.social

Beyond Resilience: Resources, Respect & Recognition in Global Universal #MentalHealthNursing Reform. Resilience alone is not enough. We call for global reform, international collaboration & recognition of #MHnursing’s critical role in #GlobalMentalHealth
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....

Wes Streeting confirms public inquiry into Teesside NHS trust The TEWV announcement comes after calls from families of three patients who died by suicide.

Health Secretary confirms statutory public inquiry in to Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS mental health trust.

So soon two problematic NHS MH trusts will have statutory public inquiries on the go - Essex is the other.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Opportunities Update – Mental Health Research Do you have an opportunity relevant for mental health and/or addiction researchers? Share the details with us!

Our opportunities update has more opportunities for #mentalhealth and #addiction #researchers than ever!

Find your next fellowship, small grants funding, workshop and more. You can even filter by opportunity type or career stage if you know exactly what you need.

Search here 👇
buff.ly/aZO6B6a

Text: Today's report from the Health and Social Care Select Committee rightly highlights the urgent pressures facing community mental health services. We urge the Government to implement these recommendations in full and ensure community mental health services receive the sustained investment and attention they urgently need.

We welcome today’s report from @commonshealth.bsky.social
which rightly highlights the urgent pressures facing community mental health services. These services are the backbone of mental health care and must be strengthened. Read our response 👇 www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/news/item/ce...

Some good news is #WardSonar is part of this...looking forward to learning much more about tech innovation....

Some good news is #WardSonar is part of this...looking forward to learning much more about tech innovation....

University of Nottingham nursing course cuts 'could cost lives' | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing Nursing student Kaammilah says the university's plans to suspend two nursing courses is a workforce crisis in the making

"Axing nursing specialist fields could cost lives." 💬

In the wake of University of Nottingham’s plans to suspend two nursing courses, nursing student Kaammilah reflects on the impact of these decisions, and the often unrecognised value of nurse education.

Read more ⬇️ bit.ly/4ioMz9L

Busy week in Barcelona culminating in the Mental Health Nursing Leaders Summit....

@martinpedersen.bsky.social will be of interest to you.

Brief to officers attending coroner’s court | College of Policing Information for forces preparing to attend inquests that relate to Right Care Right Person.

The @collegeofpolicing.bsky.social has produced a "Briefing To Officers" to help prepare specifically for RCRP related inquests -

I'm quite amazed they've actually published this. Blog post out tomorrow morning with an update about my ongoing research work.

www.college.police.uk/guidance/rig...

Over a quarter of women who died by suicide while under UK mental health care had experienced domestic abuse.

This new study from the Centre for Mental Health and Safety analysed 3,900 deaths to identify key risk factors & service gaps.

🧵 THREAD

#SuicidePrevention #DomesticAbuse #WomensHealth

Can we predict who’s most at risk of psychiatric hospitalisation?

A new BMJ Mental Health study by Taquet et al. (2025) developed an early warning score using routine clinical data from 37,000 patients across 20 US centres.

🧵 THREAD

#MentalHealth #Psychiatry #DataScience

Great two days at @ Restraint reduction network #rrnconf25 talking about #psychologicalsafety with @bethlgriffin.bsky.social & #wardsonar. Loads to reflect on....

Is the UK becoming the ‘sicker man’ of Europe? | The King's Fund Veena Raleigh reviews the latest data to assess how the UK’s health compares to other countries.

The UK has the highest rate of avoidable mortality among comparable countries, more than 60% higher than in Japan, Sweden and Australia.

Veena Raleigh reviews the latest international data, out today, to assess how the UK’s health compares to other countries: https://bit.ly/47PQNSQ

Looking forward to learning lots over the next 2 days, with @bethlgriffin.bsky.social leading a workshop and keynote focusing on #PsychologicalSafety and I’m talking about #WardSonar….#RRNConf25

A MH trust has asked me a question and some of you may be better placed to help -

Does anyone know of a 136 process where a non-s12 doctor "triages" all 136 detentions on arrival at the PoS ahead of the AMHP-led assessment?

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Nursing ratios: ‘The price of unsafe staffing is too high' | RCN Magazine | Royal College of Nursing Professor Jane Ball, Director of the RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence, sets out why mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios are essential. Investing in minimum staffing levels delivers better outc...

A review of international research on minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and safe staffing legislation from @unisouthampton.bsky.social has strengthened our call for ratios to protect patients and staff from harm to be enshrined in law.

Read more from @janeeball.bsky.social ⬇️

From Pills to People: The Rise of Social Prescribing Karen Mak brings you a bumper edition blog on social prescribing, finding that rates have steadily grown recently in the UK, though access remains unequal.

Curious about #SocialPrescribing research? 🔎

Dr Karen Mak summarises our recent papers in a blog for @thementalelf.bsky.social 📊

Give it a read to learn about the patterns and predictors of social prescribing, and what they could mean for practice 👇
www.nationalelfservice.net/treatment/co...

Exploring How the Psychological Safety of Patients Is Impacted by Restrictive Practices in Inpatient Mental Healthcare: A Qualitative Study Restrictive practices are used to contain risk and maintain physical safety on inpatient mental health wards, but have been shown to negatively impact patient well-being and trust. Researchers and pr...

New paper by @bethlgriffin.bsky.social, the 2nd from her PhD is available online today!
This paper explores the impact of restrictive practices on psychological safety from the perspective of former patients.
The open access paper can be viewed here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

It’s a false economy to think you’re saving money by having fewer nursing staff. When we talk about recruiting more nurses, often we’re met with resistance around costs. However, not investing is what is financially unsustainable….

🛏️ What happens when people with borderline personality disorder can choose when they’re admitted to hospital?

A 4-year Swedish longitudinal study of Brief Admission shows how self-referral can support autonomy and reduce crisis care.

🧵 THREAD
#BPD #CrisisCare #TraumaInformed #MentalHealth

Exploring How the Psychological Safety of Patients Is Impacted by Restrictive Practices in Inpatient Mental Healthcare: A Qualitative Study Restrictive practices are used to contain risk and maintain physical safety on inpatient mental health wards, but have been shown to negatively impact patient well-being and trust. Researchers and pr...

New paper by @bethlgriffin.bsky.social, the 2nd from her PhD is available online today!
This paper explores the impact of restrictive practices on psychological safety from the perspective of former patients.
The open access paper can be viewed here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...