What happens during your stay?

During your first few days at Beech Unit, staff will spend time getting to know you and you will be allocated a ‘Named Nurse’. There will also be a Named Clinician in charge of every shift.

A nurse will complete your initial assessment with you and anyone who has come to support you. Occasionally, people may not be able to make some decisions for themselves and staff will discuss someone’s care with the appropriate member of their family, carer or advocate.

You will be shown around the ward to familiarise yourself with the environment and you will also be seen by a doctor, who will need to complete a medical examination and who may wish to organise other tests, for example blood tests.

This medical assessment together with the nursing assessment will provide information to help us develop a personalised care plan with you, and your carer or relative will be offered a written copy of this plan.

During your stay your care plan will be reviewed regularly with you and your carer or relative to ensure we are meeting your needs.

If you have any particular questions or concerns about your care and treatment you can speak to your Named Nurse, the nurse in charge of the shift or the Team Manager.

Opportunities will be available for you to meet members of the team while you are here and they will also provide help and advice with your needs after leaving Beech Unit, and with your discharge arrangements.

Whilst here you will retain contact with, or be introduced to, a Community Key Worker. This person will continue to make contact with you after you have left us.

Daily routine

During your stay you will have the opportunity to get involved with group and individual therapies as well as social activities to promote independence, confidence, wellbeing and help in your recovery.

During the day we have a range of varied activities, but there are also quieter areas if you prefer.

An area is always made available for you to have a conversation in private. If you do not have your own mobile phone and wish to make a call, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to assist you.

Time away from Beech Unit

Depending on how your treatment is progressing, we encourage you to spend as much time as possible away from Beech Unit as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so. This may be going out for a walk, a short trip or a visit home. For support, you may need to be accompanied by staff, carers, family or friends. Please speak to a member of staff who will be able to help you organise some time away.

Leaving Beech Unit

Prior to leaving Beech Unit you will be allocated someone to support your ongoing care. This may be a trained mental health nurse (RMN), a social worker or an occupational therapist (OT). They will work closely alongside you and your family and supporters to make sure that you get everything you need and that you are clear about what is happening with your care.

They may be supported by a nursing assistant (CPNA). These members of the team are not trained nurses but they play a very important role in supporting people and making sure that their needs are met.

We are always striving to improve what we do and, when you are discharged from our care, we may ask you to complete a short questionnaire.

Home Treatment Team

Early discharge is supported by our Home Treatment Team in conjunction with our ward staff.

When appropriate, following your admission, the Home Treatment Team will:

• Discuss your care plan with your Named Nurse, ward doctor and consultant
• Discuss with you whether this care can be provided at home
• Make contact with your nearest relative or carer and also speak to your care coordinator.

Confidentiality

You will need to give information about yourself to our staff to support your care and treatment. Some of this information may be recorded on a computer. All personal and sensitive information is kept safe and secure at all times and is shared on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis.