Squaring the circle: developing clinical risk management strategies in mental healthcare organisations

This article explores the challenges of developing clinical risk management practice and policy within large mental healthcare organisations. The national context is outlined and requirements of organisations explained. Consideration is given to how clinical risk relates to clinical quality and the benefits of standardisation are explored. We highlight the complexities and conflicts of implementing standardised procedures, given the current evidence base, and the difficulties of applying this in clinical practice. Using concepts from strategic planning and psychology, we suggest an approach to respond to these factors at a local level to achieve better outcomes for service users and clinicians.