Ward searching services
Specialist Ward Searching for Mental Health Services
At UK Patient Care, we understand the complex challenges involved in maintaining safety in mental health environments. Our dedicated ward search service is designed to reduce risk, protect therapeutic relationships, and free up valuable staff resources.
With a team that includes police Licensed Search Officers (LSOs) and College of Policing qualified search instructors, we bring exceptional expertise to every search. This ensures wards are safe, compliant, and ready to support the highest standards of care.
While we also deliver the UK’s only accredited mental health search training course, this service provides direct, hands-on support for NHS trusts and other providers who need a fully managed, professional search solution.
Ward Searching Overview
Mental health wards are complex environments where items that pose a risk can be hidden in unexpected places. Standard in-house searches, while well-intentioned, are often challenging for several reasons:
They require large numbers of staff to be taken away from their primary clinical roles.
They can disrupt therapeutic relationships between staff and service users.
Without specialist techniques, important risks may be overlooked.
By outsourcing ward searches to our expert team, organisations can ensure a thorough, professional process that improves safety and supports positive therapeutic care.
Operational Ward Searches
When a ward is fully operational, safety is critical, but so is the relationship between staff and service users. Our search teams carry out discreet, highly professional searches while service users remain in place, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum safety.
Key benefits include:
- Respectful and compassionate searches carried out by experienced specialists.
- Staff remain focused on care rather than safety interventions.
- Reduced conflict and distress for service users.
- Fully documented outcomes for auditing and compliance.
Pre-Opening Safety Sign-Off Searches
When a new ward or refurbished area is about to open, it must be confirmed safe before service users are admitted.
Our pre-opening search service provides a complete safety check of the environment, including fixtures, fittings, and hidden spaces.
This service is ideal for:
Newly built wards prior to opening.
Refurbished spaces returning to operational use.
High-risk environments that require extra assurance.
Once complete, we provide a formal sign-off report, giving leadership and regulatory bodies confidence that the space meets the highest safety standards.
Why Choose UK Patient Care
Our ward search service is unique in the UK. With decades of combined experience across policing, mental health, and safety management, we provide a level of skill and understanding that cannot be replicated by in-house teams alone.
What sets us apart:
- A specialist team including police LSOs and College of Policing instructors.
- A trauma-informed approach designed to maintain dignity and minimise distress.
- Efficient, cost-effective service delivery that saves staff time and resources.
- Fully auditable processes that meet CQC and regulatory requirements.
- Practical knowledge from delivering the UK’s only accredited mental health search training.
The Benefits of a Specialist Ward Search Service
Enhanced Safety
- Hidden risks are identified and removed before harm occurs.
- Wards meet compliance and safeguarding standards.
- Safety checks are thorough and verifiable.
Preserved Therapeutic Relationships
- Nursing staff focus on care, not confrontation.
- Searches are handled externally to reduce conflict and stress.
- Service users experience less disruption and distress.
Efficient Use of Resources
- No need to divert large numbers of staff for lengthy searches.
- Searches are completed faster by a highly skilled team.
- Reduced downtime and lower operational costs.
FAQ’s
What makes UK Patient Care’s ward search service different?
We are the only provider in the UK offering a dedicated ward search service led by police Licensed Search Officers and College of Policing instructors. Our approach combines advanced search techniques with a deep understanding of mental health care, ensuring both safety and dignity are prioritised.
Do you carry out searches while service users are present?
Yes, our operational ward searches are designed to take place while service users remain on the ward. We use a trauma-informed, respectful approach to minimise disruption and maintain therapeutic relationships between service users and staff.
Can you search new or refurbished wards before they open?
Absolutely. Our pre-opening safety sign-off service is ideal for new builds or refurbished areas. We carry out a full environmental search and provide formal documentation confirming the ward is safe, compliant, and ready to admit service users.
Why not just use internal NHS staff for searches?
While internal staff play a vital role in safety, large-scale or highly detailed searches require specialist techniques and equipment. In-house searches also take significant staff away from care duties, impacting resources and therapeutic relationships. Our service is faster, more thorough, and allows staff to focus on their core roles.
Is your ward search process compliant with CQC requirements?
Yes. Our processes are fully auditable and align with Care Quality Commission standards, giving trusts confidence in regulatory compliance and safeguarding practices.
Do you provide training as well as ward searches?
Yes, UK Patient Care delivers the UK’s only accredited search training course designed specifically for mental health environments. While this page focuses on our managed ward search service, our training equips internal teams to build their own capacity for ongoing safety management.
Contact UK Patient Care
If you are looking for a team to conduct thorough ward searches, feel free to call for more information.
Contact Us
For more information or to make a booking
Why choose UK Patient Care?
National Coverage
We offer comprehensive coverage across the UK and will travel to you.
Highly Experienced Trainers
Our team is made up of industry experts with high levels of relevant experience. They understand the challenges you face and are passionate about making a difference.
Tailored Training
We work closely with our customers to develop training that is unique to their needs and challenges.
Online Resources
We will give you access to online resources and videos after the course to reinforce your learning experience.
