The team at Forest Close is becoming the first inpatient setting in the country to trial a new tool which supports our service users’ recovery.

The research trial is using DIALOG+, a tool which focuses on a person’s strengths and making positive changes.

It helps service users to track their progress in the areas which are important to them and their mental health, and allows people using it to measure quality of life and the experience a person has in a service.

DIALOG+ is an extension of the DIALOG outcome measure. It uses a solution-focused approach to explore a person’s strengths and resources in more depth, to build hope, confidence and to make more meaningful use of the DIALOG measure. It's about providing evidence-led care, in line with our clinical and social care strategy.

The trial will take place for five months, before the team starts to analyse and then share its findings.

The trial is led by Sinead Mclernon, trainee clinical psychologist, as part of her doctoral thesis with the University of Sheffield, with support from Alex Fergusson, trainee advanced clinical practitioner, the team at Forest Close, and Alix Smith and Mishell Cunningham in the Research Development Unit. Claire Bone and Jaime Delgadillo are supervising the trial.