Hospital Admission

On arrival at the ward a member of nursing staff will welcome you.  You will be shown around the ward and its facilities, prior to the completion of your admission details.  The ward doctor will see you shortly after, to gather information that is relevant to your need for admission.  The doctor will also complete a physical examination, which may include you providing blood or urine samples.  At this point the nurse and doctor having carried out an initial assessment, will establish a treatment plan with you.  This plan is designed to accommodate your immediate needs.  You will at this time be allocated a keyworker (registered mental nurse) from the nursing team.

The Nursing Team

The nursing staff on the ward are usually divided into teams, each team cares for a small group of clients (patients).  The leader of the team is the keyworker and the other nurses in the team are known as co-workers.  Your keyworker is responsible for co-ordinating your treatment plan, whilst you are on the ward.  You will have the opportunity to spend individual time with your key and co-workers during your stay to discuss how you feel your treatment plan is progressing and to highlight any areas either you or your keyworker feels need addressing.

Useful Information

No alcohol or non-prescribed drugs are allowed on the wards.  If your admission is alcohol or drug related, you could be asked to sign and comply with a formal contract between you and the ward.  If alcohol or drug use is suspected this could lead to your discharge.

Do not bring medication on the ward.  If you do it must be handed to nursing staff.  Medication is given at regular times throughout the day.  Usually 10am – 2pm – 6pm – 10pm.

Please do not bring sharp articles on the ward (i.e. knives and scissors).  You are advised not to bring any electrical goods on the ward.  In cases where permission has been granted for you to bring an item on to the ward, it cannot be used until a hospital electrician has checked it.  Mobile phones are not allowed under any circumstances, as they can interfere with hospital equipment.

Please do not bring items of monetary or sentimental value, as the hospital cannot take responsibility for your personal belongings.  However there will be facilities for keeping valuables.

Ward visiting times will vary from ward to ward and hospital to hospital.  If for a particular reason a visitor cannot access the designated times, please discus this with the nurse in charge.  Visitors should inform staff of their arrival and departure from the ward.  Children are usually not be allowed on the ward, exceptions to this must be discussed with the nurse in charge prior to any visit being arranged.

In order to protect the privacy of all clients, staff do not give information over the telephone, to friends and relatives without the prior consent of the client.  People are always welcome to make enquires in person on the ward with the clients permission.

The Patient's Charter

The "Patient's Charter" applies to all parts of the NHS, including mental health services.  The Charter sets out your rights and the standards of service you can expect.  These include:

• reasonable measures to be taken to protect you and keep you safe;
• the hospital to provide somewhere safe to keep your money and belongings;
• to be able to wear your own clothes;
• your surroundings to be comfortable;
• to be able to use a place where you can be on your own or talk privately with relatives, friends, NHS staff, social services staff, your advocate or minister of your faith.

You have the right to be told before you go into hospital whether it is planned to care for you in a mixed ward for men and women.  (It may not be possible to tell you this if you are admitted to hospital in an emergency.)  In all cases, you can expect single sex washing and toilet facilities.  If you would prefer to be cared for in single sex accommodation your wishes will be respected wherever possible.  There may be some cases, particularly emergencies, where a hospital cannot provide single sex accommodation.

For more information about the Patient's Charter click on the following link:

http://www.doh.gov.uk/pcharter/patientc.htm

The Care Programme Approach (CPA) - Aftercare

The Care Programme Approach is a package of aftercare provided by a care co-ordinator in the community.  The care co-ordinator may be either a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), a Social Worker or some other health care professional.

It is the community care co-ordinator's responsibility to ensure that you receive care and support whilst in the community.  The community care co-ordinator will follow a plan of care which has been devised by the health care team prior to your discharge from hospital.  The community care co-ordinator will visit you regularly and if necessary co-ordinate other health care professionals in ensuring that your mental health needs are met.  The community care co-ordinator will ensure that your programme is reviewed by your Consultant Psychiatrist at periodic intervals.  You will be kept informed of any changes to your care programme.

Do you have to accept the CPA?

No, It is not compulsory.  If you decide that you would benefit from the aftercare programme you will be asked to sign a consent form which you will be allowed to keep.

What if I refuse to accept the CPA?

If you decide the CPA will not benefit you, your GP will be informed of your decision not to accept the programme.  By refusing the CPA this does not alter your right to have a community care co-ordinator and providing you agree a formal discharge package will be offered instead.

For more information about the CPA click on the following link:

http://www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/polbook.htm