Who will look after you?
Your Named Nurse
When admitted, you should have been given a Named Nurse and Occupational Therapist. They are responsible for:
- co-ordinating your care while you’re on the ward
- discussing and formulating your care plans with you
- having regular face to face chats with you to evaluate your care and to build up a therapeutic relationship
- ensuring the nursing team is aware of any specific needs you have.
- with your consent update, your loved ones/carers with your progress
Each named nurse has an associate that will fulfil this role in their absence. If your Named Nurse or associate nurse is not on duty, you can speak to any other member of staff.
If you want to change your Named Nurse you can ask for a different one – they won’t mind.
Your Consultant and other Doctors
You will have a named Consultant in charge of your care. They have junior doctors who are based on the ward during the week. You will have the opportunity to meet with your consultant in the multidisciplinary meeting (MDM), this is usually held weekly on the ward.
During this meeting your plan of care will be discussed with you and other professionals involved in your care.
Consultant for Older People Psychiatrist
The Consultant is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of each patient on an individual basis and this continues whilst the patient remains in hospital.
The Consultant also reviews each patient at the weekly MDM review meeting and relies on input from everyone involved in a patient’s care to help them decide upon treatment plans. They also supervise the activities of the ward doctor.
Ward Doctor
They are there each weekday and are responsible for your day-to-day care. They are briefed daily by the nursing staff about progress or care issues which require review.
They review test results and obtain guidance from the Consultant or specific medical specialist if required.
They are also responsible for referrals to other clinics/specialists if required. They attend the MDM each week and update the Consultant on progress etc. They attend any emergency situations if in the locality and provide appropriate support.
Occupational Therapists and Assistants
The ward has an assessment system for consideration of patients’ need for occupational therapy; a member of the OT team will make initial contact with a newly admitted patient, within 5 working days, and will continue to monitor for need.
The Occupational Therapist assesses patients’ occupational function in self-care, productivity and leisure; this includes consideration of cognitive and physical capacity, interaction and communication skills, volitional issues, and assessment of the physical and social environment (often through home visit) relating to discharge.
Both assessment and treatment are conducted through analysed activity (individualised or group), a range of standardised occupational assessments and cognitive therapeutic techniques. The OT will advise on, or prescribe, environmental adaptation or equipment as appropriate.
The In reach and Home Treatment Team
The aim of the team is to make admissions for functional patients, as patient centred, meaningful and brief as possible. Also to support and facilitate a smooth transmission home from the hospital environment. They attend the weekly MDMs.
Social Worker/Care Manager
Assist in the planning of care upon discharge. They can give advice on accommodation, care packages, finances, benefits, voluntary organisations etc. They provide follow-up upon discharge, reviewing care packages and placements as necessary.
Psychologist
Provides input into the patient's care at the request of the Consultant as is felt appropriate. They advise on possible treatment options following a consultation. The ward shares a psychologist with two other wards.
Your Care Co-ordinator
Usually based outside the hospital, their job is to coordinate the people involved in your care and make sure you have access to the best services to help you recover. You may already have a Care Coordinator but if not we will refer you if appropriate. They’ll start by coming to meet you to find out what you need to get better and then help to plan for when you can leave hospital.
They will keep an eye on everything that’s happening, and talk to anyone who needs to be involved. If you already have a Care Co-ordinator, they will keep in touch while you are in hospital.
They will attend a discharge meeting to make sure everything runs smoothly when you leave, including visiting you when you go home.
Unacceptable behaviour:
The Trust has adopted the national NHS zero tolerance policy and encourages the reporting of any form of harassment, verbal or physical abuse including any unacceptable behaviour by patients, visitors and staff. In extreme circumstances the Trust will pursue prosecution proceedings against any individual concerned.
