RecruitingObservational

Provision for parents on psychiatric inpatient units

This study explores how families visit parents who are staying in mental health hospitals. It's often tough for parents, children, and carers when families are separated. Current visiting areas can sometimes feel unwelcoming or unsuitable for children. The 'POPI' study aims to understand these experiences from the perspective of parents, children, carers, and healthcare staff. We want to find practical ways to improve hospital environments and visiting rules. The goal is to make visits more supportive for emotional well-being and to help families stay connected, hoping to make a real difference for families in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Sussex

Enrolment target

136

Start

25 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2026

Experience of treatment within a psychiatric inpatient unit

What is this study about?

When a parent needs to stay in a mental health hospital, it means they are separated from their family. This can be a very upsetting time for everyone involved – the parent, their children, and anyone else caring for the children. Often, visiting can help families stay in touch and support each other, but many hospital wards don't have good places for children and families to meet. Sometimes, visiting rooms might feel uncomfortable, not suitable for children, or simply not very welcoming.

This important study, called 'POPI' (Provision for Parents on Psychiatric Inpatient Units), wants to understand what it's really like for families when a parent is in a mental health hospital. We are talking to parents, children, young people, carers, and even the healthcare staff who work on these wards. We want to hear about their experiences with family visits during this time.

The main goal is to identify simple, practical changes that could make a big difference. This could involve making hospital visiting areas more comfortable and child-friendly, or finding better ways to organise visits. Ultimately, we hope to improve the emotional well-being of families and help parents and children maintain their important relationships during a challenging period.

Key takeaways

Aims to understand and improve family visits for parents in mental health hospitals.
Seeking insights from parents, children (8-18), carers, and healthcare staff.
Participation involves either a one-to-one interview (30-60 mins) or a short online survey (10-15 mins).
Your experiences can help shape better support for families.
Researchers are trained to be sensitive; you can stop at any time.
Study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for several groups of people to share their experiences. We need parents (aged 18 or over) who have been in a mental health hospital since July 2021 and had a child under 18 at that time. We also want to hear from children and young people (aged 8-18) who have visited a parent in a mental health hospital during the same period. Adult carers of children whose parent was in hospital can also take part.

Finally, we're inviting healthcare professionals (aged 18 or over) who currently work, or have worked recently (in the last two years for at least six months), on adult mental health wards. This includes nurses, care assistants, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

There are a few reasons someone might not be able to join. For example, children younger than 8, or anyone (parent or carer) unable to provide their consent to take part. Also, children who might find the interview process too difficult or upsetting will not be asked to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 or older?
If you're a parent, have you been in a mental health hospital since July 2021 with a child under 18 at that time?
If you're a child/young person, are you 8-18 and visited a parent in a mental health hospital since July 2021?
If you're a carer, do you care for a child whose parent was in a mental health hospital since July 2021?
If you're a healthcare professional, do you work (or recently worked) on adult mental health wards for at least 6 months?
Do you feel comfortable sharing your experiences at an interview or in a survey?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study has two main parts. In the first part, you'll have a one-to-one chat with a trained researcher. This chat will last between 30 and 60 minutes and can happen online, over the phone, or in person, whichever is easiest for you. Children and young people might be invited to express their experiences in a creative way, like drawing or writing, as part of their interview.

In the second part of the study, a bigger group of parents, carers, and healthcare staff will be asked to fill in a short online questionnaire. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes and will ask about your visiting experiences and any ideas you have for improvements. This questionnaire is completely anonymous.

Potential risks and benefits

One of the main benefits of taking part in this study is the chance to share your experiences and help improve services for other families in the future. Your insights could make a real difference. We understand that talking about time spent in hospital can sometimes bring up strong emotions or feel upsetting, so our researchers are trained to be very sensitive. You can pause or stop your interview at any time if you feel you need to. We will also provide information about support services that can help if you find anything difficult. You are free to withdraw from the study at any point without giving a reason.

Locations (2)

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust Hq
City only
Leatherhead, England
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Worthing, England

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to understand and improve family visits for parents in mental health hospitals, making them more supportive for everyone.

Who is running this study?

The study is led by the University of Sussex in the UK.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, all your responses will be handled with care and kept confidential. The online questionnaire for Part 2 is anonymous.

Do I have to live in a specific area to take part?

Recruitment is happening across the UK, not just in specific areas, though some NHS trusts are also involved.

How long will the study run for?

The study is expected to run from February 2026 to November 2026.

How to find out more

Abby Dunn

ad560@sussex.ac.uk +44 (0)7775937378 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.