Robert Kennedy and Frances Binns on developing a strategy for safe holding in a large tertiary hospital

This article demonstrates how a strategy to improve patient safety and the patient experience in hospital health care was implemented in a large tertiary children’s hospital. A children and young people’s therapeutic safe holding policy and training programme for all clinical nursing staff was developed and introduced. The strategy aimed to define best practice and equip healthcare professionals with the appropriate tools to deliver care safely, effectively and in the best interests of the child or young person.