principles into practice network

Timbury House tidal model

Topics covered in this article: Participation and involvement, TIDAL model, in-patient care, Nursing roles

The Tidal Model is a theory-based approach to Mental Health Nursing. It requires nurses to listen to, and work closely with their patients and carers at all stages of the individual's care whilst encouraging the patient to take ownership in developing and participating in their unique care package.The guiding principles of the Tidal Model are that of curiosity, resourcefulness, respect, seeing crisis as an opportunity and thinking small and simplistically. It focuses on the person's experiences and what they need in order to feel safe. It promotes a holistic assessment where the person is seen as an individual and highlights how they see their situation and finally it focuses on the type of support the individual can provide for him / herself and what they will need from others. The model itself is recovery focused and has three phases to it, namely Immediate Care, Transitional Care and Developmental Care.

During 2004 the Mental Health Services (Greater Glasgow part) of Greater Glasgow and Clyde undertook a commitment to test the Tidal Model in an identified adult admission wards across the Glasgow Inpatient areas. Rutherford House, in Gartnavel Royal Hospital, agreed to undertake the pilot for the west area. At the time of the pilot the feeling within older people's inpatient areas was that this approach could be utilised by individuals over 65 and should not have an age imposed limit.Staff agreed that if the evaluation of the pilot was a success, then they would consider adapting and piloting this recovery focused model in Timbury House.

The initial pilot was successful and discussions took place between the ward team, patients, carers and the staff from the adult pilot ward. Nursing staff were invited to attend day or two training sessions.There was a lengthy staged approach to implementing the full model. This was firstly because it has not, as we were aware being used in this environment and we wanted to take things at a slower pace to ensure individuals had time to adapt.

Click on the links to the right for further information on the tidal model.

For more information on the Timbury House project contact sandra.munro@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Putting the principles into practice  - the benefits of using this recovery model

Programme on the ward - lists the sessions and activities taking place

Evaluation - feedback from those using the model