Measures ensuring staff are safe while working with vulnerable patients have helped Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust become the only NHS organisation to be commended by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The trust, which runs Warneford Hospital and Park Hospital, in Headington, and Littlemore Hospital, has been given a merit award by RoSPA because of its health and safety practices.

Community workers, who look after mental health patients outside the hospitals, carry mobile phones so they can alert colleagues to problems.

They must also keep to strict procedures, including using pre-planned travel routes.

Staff who work with vulnerable patients have also been trained to use non-violent techniques to control someone and escape dangerous situations.

Julie Waldron, chief executive of Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust, said: "Our hospital and community-based staff work with some very vulnerable patients and in situations where they could potentially be at risk.

"Protecting our staff from unnecessary injuries and accidents is vital for the trust and vital for the quality of our patient care.

"I'm delighted all our hard work in this area has been recognised by RoSPA.

"Establishing a positive approach to health and safety is not just a matter of agreeing some policies and organising some training. It needs firm commitment from staff across the trust and I would like to congratulate all the staff who helped."

The RoSPA merit award also commended the trust's dedication to making sure all staff were trained in fire safety and were taught to lift patients safely. It was presented to managers at a ceremony at the National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham, last week.