A guide which seeks to include carers as best practice in acute mental health care has been published.  The guide emphasises the essential 3-way relationship between professionals, service users and carers. 

'The Triangle of Care' is a collaboration between The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and The National Mental Health Development Unit.  It emphasises the strategic involvement of carers and families in the care and treatment of people in mental distress to achieve the best possible outcome from services.

The guide was developed by carers and staff to improve carer engagement in acute inpatient and home treatment services and outlines six key elements to achieve this:

1. Carers and the role they play should be identified at first contact or as soon as possible.
2. Staff should be 'carer aware' adn trained in carer engagement strategies.
3. Policy and practice protocols for confidentiality and information sharing to be put in place.
4. Defined post(s) that are responsible for carers to be put in place.
5. An introduction to services and staff should be made available to carers, with information across the acute care pathway.
6. A range of carer support services be made available.

The Triangle of Care was produced as a result of the Acute Care Declaration, which was launched in 2009 to ensure that key partners, providers and commissioners worked together to "people with mental health problems, who are acutely ill, receive the services they need at the time of their greatest vulnerability".