IMPROVING people’s experience of being a patient on a mental health ward is a top priority for Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which is looking forward to top ratings from patients in future surveys.
A new survey published by the Care Quality Commission today [SEPT24] looks at the views of people who were admitted to mental health hospitals between April and December 2008, before phase 1 of the new Berrywood Hospital opened in Northampton.
One hundred and seventeen people took part in the survey, which focused on five themes: the ward environment, care and treatment, discharge from hospital, and patients’ rights.
Overall, Northamptonshire Healthcare’s scores were similar to those at other mental health trusts in England.
The trust scored in the top 20 per cent of mental health trusts in six questions, including questions about feeling involved in treatment decisions, explanations about medication, and patients’ rights.
Northamptonshire Healthcare’s results were below average in two areas: information about how to get help in a crisis, and mixed-sex sleeping areas.
The trust has addressed both these issues this year.
CATSS, the Crisis and Telephone Support Service, was launched early in 2009 to provide telephone support for people who use mental health services. The service is particularly for people who do not feel able to cope without immediate support from a trained member of staff and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The opening of the new adult mental health wards at Berrywood Hospital has helped to make Northamptonshire Healthcare one of the pilot sites for the Department of Health’s programme to provide same-sex accommodation for all NHS patients.
“The Welland Centre and Berrywood Hospital, which will also provide new wards for older people and adult rehabilitation wards from 2010, have set the standard for mental health facilities in Northamptonshire,” said Eugine Yafele, head of acute mental health services with Northamptonshire Healthcare.
“All our new units, including a new inpatient unit for young people, which is being built on the Princess Marina Hospital site, will feature single rooms with en suite bathrooms.
“We are also planning to refurbish older people’s mental health wards at St Mary’s Hospital in Kettering.”
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