Traditional strategies to keep patients safe in mental health hospitals rely on manual observations – typically 15-minute checks – that can be disruptive, labour-intensive and prone to inconsistencies. Digitising these observations has been a vital step forward, helping to improve documentation, ensure compliance and reduce administrative pressure on staff. But while digital observations enhance how checks are recorded and audited, they can’t address the fundamental challenge: what happens between the checks remains unknown. That’s where ambient monitoring comes in. These technologies offer a non-intrusive way to continuously monitor key physiological and physical parameters – like vital signs, sleep and activity – in real time. When combined with digital observations, they create a more complete picture of patient wellbeing. With always-on insights delivered through intuitive interfaces, clinical teams can shift from reactive to proactive care – intervening earlier and creating safer, more therapeutic environments. In this session, we will: - Explore the technologies driving change - Examine real-world applications - Showcase proven outcomes (presenting findings from a recent multi-site evaluation demonstrating reductions in sentinel events) - Address implementation challenges and best practices - Look into the future As pressure mounts to improve safety, efficiency and patient experience, the integration of digital observations and ambient monitoring represents a new standard in inpatient mental health care.