Sandringham Ward information leaflet

The content on this page is taken from the information leaflet provided on Sandringham Ward.

Welcome to Sandringham Ward

We hope this booklet will provide you with all the information you need to know about how the ward functions, but if there is something we haven’t covered, or you would like further information, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff.

Sandringham team vision and values

Our patients and carers are at the heart of everything we do as a team. Putting quality improvement at the centre of what we do to transform patient care. Improving the quality of care for patients in terms of safety, clinical effectiveness and patient experience. Improving and supporting the qualitative and quantitative measurements of patient outcomes. Openly including, encouraging and engaging with patients, the public and staff at all levels of the organisation to improve quality. Developing partnerships with other teams, agencies and organisations to share best practice and improve innovation across care pathways. Championing the provision of information on the quality of care available to patients, carers and the public.

About us

Sandringham Ward is an acute mental health admission ward for men and women who require an inpatient stay for a specialist level of assessment, care and treatment. There are single gender rooms, each with wash facilities, and an individual cash and valuables safe.

We have a skilled team of professionals that includes: nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, activity co-ordinators, physiotherapists and psychologists, supported by administration staff. We also have a pastoral care lead for emotional and spiritual support.

We recognise that admission to hospital can be a difficult time for you and your family and friends; however, we will support you as much as possible during your stay. We aim to provide each patient with an integrated system of care, one that facilitates both hope and recovery within a safe and friendly environment.

We will strive to keep you involved and updated as much as we can during a hospital admission, and will encourage and support you, your relatives and carers to be part of the team in shaping your care, centred around your personal needs.

You will be fully involved in decisions and will be given a copy of your care plan. Our commitment is to deliver this care with dedication, compassion and respect, always mindful of our patients’ dignity, cultural differences and self-worth.

Admission

On admission, the role of the ward is to assess, treat and identify future care needs for the patient. On arrival, staff will introduce themselves and the ward surroundings to you and will try and answer any questions you may have. You will also be told at this point who the named nurse and the named care support worker / assistant practitioner will be, as well as the name of the ward doctor and the ward psychiatrist.

A thorough physical examination will take place. This will include taking blood and urine samples, checking height, weight, blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Please give all medications that are currently being taken to staff for safekeeping.This includes prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

Patients’ assessments and treatments are individual, so the duration of the stay on the ward will vary from person-toperson. Once the assessment and treatment process has been completed and future care needs have been identified, the patient will be discharged.

We adopt the Red2Green / Patient Flow way of working, to avoid unnecessary delays and to serve patients quickly and efficiently toward discharge. If you would like more information, please ask your named nurse.

Equipment

As part of the multi-disciplinary team assessment we may issue patients with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust equipment during their admission. Unfortunately, we are not able to loan or provide this equipment on discharge, for example; specialised seating. Ongoing provision of equipment required after discharge, will be discussed with patients and carers as part of the discharge planning.

Ward rounds

The ward has a weekly ward round, during which each patient is reviewed by the multi-disciplinary team (that is; the psychiatrist, nurse, occupational therapist etc.). Both patients and their families or carers are welcome at the weekly ward round; however, due to patient confidentiality, only during the time that the individual patient review is taking place. Please notify a staff member of your wish to attend and they will be able to inform you of the next available appointment time. The nursing team do have their own multi-disciplinary meeting each morning to carry out a daily review and plan for the day.

Patient, relative and carer involvement

Initially, you will be invited to attend a meeting within 72 hours of admission. You will then be invited on a regular basis, to meet with the named nurse and other ward staff, so that you are included in the care plan review. With your input, we aim to provide the best person-centred care. If you would like to meet individually with a particular team member, simply notify a member of staff and a meeting will be arranged.

Other meetings relating to patient care

There are other meetings that may take place during the course of an inpatient stay. Patients and their families and carers are encouraged to attend the following meetings: Section 117 meetings

These meetings relate to the Mental Health Act, 1983. This Act is the legislation used to detain patients in a hospital and means that the patient is detained on a formal (involuntary) basis.

The length of time a patient can be detained depends on the type of mental health condition, he or she has, and their personal circumstances at the time of their admission. A patient can be detained for:

• Up to 28 days under section 2 of the Act
• Up to six months under section 3 of the Act

If a patient is detained in hospital under section 3 of the Mental Health Act, section 117 meetings are a legal requirement. These meetings focus on care plan reviews and on discharge planning.

Both section 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act, 1983 can be brought to a close before they are due to expire. When sections are rescinded or due to expire, an assessment takes place to identify if the patient is able to give consent to stay in hospital as an informal (voluntary) patient. If the outcome of this assessment is that the patient does not have capacity to give consent, the Mental Capacity Act, 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (known as DoLS), provides the legal framework for the patient’s stay in hospital. Information leaflets about the legal basis of admission and stay in hospital are provided. Do not hesitate to discuss these with the nursing or medical team.

If you have come into hospital voluntarily, you are free to leave the ward as and when you choose; however, it would be beneficial to stay on the ward and take part in the therapeutic activities outlined in your care plan.

Discharge planning meetings

When a patient is considered ready to be discharged from the ward, a Discharge Planning meeting is held to discuss possible discharge options. We have dedicated Discharge Co-ordinators whose role it is to explore the options available. This will include discussion around any specialised equipment required, as we are not able to loan or provide this equipment on discharge.

Best Interest meetings

If it is difficult to come to an agreement around the discharge plans, a Best Interest meeting takes place. This is chaired by a person external to our Trust.

Mutual Help meetings

Every Monday and Friday we have our Mutual Help Meetings. The group meetings are for patients, staff and relatives, and are centred around how we can help each other during the hospital stay. We hope it will help everyone on the ward to get along and support each other.

Staff members working on the ward

Clinical Team Leader (Ward Manager) is responsible for the overall running of the ward and for dealing with any concerns you may have that have not been resolved by staff on the ward.

Charge Nurses provide clinical and operational leadership to the nursing team.

Registered Nurses are responsible for co-ordinating the nursing care of the patients, and will co-ordinate patient care based on individually assessed needs. This includes activities and interventions that will be helpful to you and form part of your care plan.

Assistant Practitioners are not registered nurses but have a high level of training in specific areas, and support the registered nurses in delivering high quality, person-centered care. Either a registered nurse or an Assistant Practitioner will be the patient’s named nurse.

Clinical Support Workers provide direct nursing care and will support you to increase your independence, daily living skills and encourage you to actively participate in your recovery.

Physical Health Nurses provide an assessment and treatment of physical health care needs.

Occupational Therapists will help you to identify what you can manage, and will work with you and support you to be as independent as possible with everyday living.

Activity Co-ordinators identify, plan and encourage you to take part in activities that have meaning and value.

Physiotherapists will assess your mobility and identify goals, plan Interventions, advise on pain management and exercise to help keep you as independent as possible.

Consultant Psychiatrists and the team of doctors are responsible for your medical treatment while on the ward. They will discuss your needs and your medical treatment with you and will answer any questions you may have about your medication.

Clinical Psychologists provide an assessment of your psychological needs and identify psychological interventions which help meet these needs. Psychological interventions can either be delivered directly by the psychologist, or alongside other ward staff.

Agency nurses are not employed by the Trust directly, but work through a nursing agency and provide nursing support where needed.

Other staff / students. All wards at the Julian are teaching wards for students from all disciplines. The colour of their uniforms may vary. Do please ask if you are unsure as to who a member of staff is.

What is expected of patients during their stay?

Patients are asked to treat staff, other patients, visitors and the ward environment with respect. Please also adhere to the no smoking (see page 10), illicit drug and alcohol policies. Patients, along with their families and carers, are encouraged to participate in the planning, implementation and review of their care.

Visiting hours

Visiting is welcomed during the hours shown on the back page; however, the ward operates Protected Mealtimes, which means the ward is closed to visitors between 12 noon - 2pm and 5 – 6pm. This ensures that patients and staff are uninterrupted, and mealtimes are a positive experience, providing valuable engagement time. However, if you would like to be involved in the protected time to support your loved one with their meal, do let a member of staff know.

Weekday mornings group work is carried out with patients and visiting starts in the afternoon. However, morning visiting is permitted at weekends.

We encourage visits from family and friends, and fully support helpful and positive contact between patients, relatives and carers.

Children up to and including the age of 16 years must be accompanied and supervised throughout visits by a responsible adult, preferably with parental responsibility.

Prior to any visit, where it is intended for children to accompany relatives and carers, this must be pre-arranged with the ward, and agreed with the Nurse in Charge. The ward will advise of any restrictions, prior to the intended visit taking place.

Visitors will need a parking permit for the car park. You can get your permit from the ward. Please ask on arrival.

What is expected of visitors?

Please visit during visiting hours on the reverse of this booklet. Please note: we have protected mealtimes, from 12 noon – 2pm and 5 – 6pm, when wards are closed to visitors.

For health and safety reasons, please sign in the visitor’s book when you arrive and sign out when you leave. The visitor’s book is situated within the entrance to the ward.

When visiting Sandringham Ward, please respect the privacy and dignity of all. Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed to be used on the wards. If you need to take a call on your mobile phone, please do this within the ward foyer or outside, thank you. Photographs / videos or recordings, whether on mobile phone or camera, are not permitted to be taken within the ward environment. Verbal abuse, aggression or damage to property is not acceptable at any time.

We’re Smokefree

The Trust operates a “Smokefree policy” on all its sites to protect everyone from the harmful effects of tobacco and second-hand smoke. This means that you cannot smoke tobacco products (cigarettes and roll-ups) in any Trust building or in our grounds. Nicotine replacement Therapy is available to help people to stop smoking while they are in hospital; including nicotine patches, inhalators and lozenges, we pledge to offer this within 30 minutes of admission. We do have a dedicated Smokefree Health Champion who is able to offer advice and support if you would like to quit smoking.

E-cigarettes and vaping devices are permitted to be used in outside areas.

Please be aware that the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices will not be permitted inside any inpatient buildings, including bedrooms and communal areas – this means you are unable to use E-cigarettes and vaping devices inside any Trust properties. Ward staff will be able to advise you where the designated outside areas are.

Being Smokefree is one of the ways NSFT will help to ensure that staff and services users have the support they need to lead healthy lives.

Personal property

You will need to bring your own clothes and toiletries to include:

• Indoor and outdoor clothes
• Coat
• Good fitting shoes for indoor and outdoor wear, slippers
• Walking aids required for example: walking stick, walking frame
• Soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush / comb and personal cosmetics, if required
• Nightdress or pyjamas and dressing gown
• Underwear
• Washing detergent

You may bring small electrical items onto the ward, for example, Electric razors (no TVs). The safety of these items will be assessed (PAT tested) before you are allowed to use them. Each patient receives their own safe storage box for things such as razors, mobile phone chargers etc., which will be stored securely by staff until required.

We cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to any personal belongings. Please refer to the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust disclaimer:

“Warning - private property“ Notice is hereby given that the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to personal property of any kind, including money, in whatever way the loss or damage may occur unless an official receipt is obtained for property which has been handed in for safe custody.”

Families, carers and friends can bring in items such as books, magazines, photographs, DVDs and CDs for you. This will not only help staff to get to know you better but will also help in the planning of meaningful and therapeutic activities on the ward. Staff are able to make copies of any photographs you bring in, so that you can keep the originals safe.

Valuables such as jewellery, are not encouraged on the ward. However, if you wish to keep a valuable item or cash with you this can be stored in the safe in your bedroom. We regret that we cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to items of value brought in.

Laundry bins are placed in the ward bedrooms, where you can put items of personal clothing ready for washing. A washing machine and tumble dryer are available on the ward for your personal use. You will need to supply your own washing powder. Alternatively, relatives can take your washing home, unless it is part of an agreed plan that you do your own laundry. We do recommend practical, not delicate clothing.

Data protection and confidentiality

The Trust works in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (2018). We obtain permission regarding information sharing and manage all information confidentially. We would only disclose information without consent if there is a significant risk of harm to the patient or others.

Incidents and accidents

Unfortunately, these do happen from time to time. If you witness an incident or accident on the ward, please tell a member of staff immediately.

Customer Services and advocacy services

Our Customer Services team provide confidential advice, information and support, helping you to answer any questions you may have about our services or about any health matters. Advocacy services offer a free, confidential and independent service, to help people understand their rights and be treated as equals.

Compliments, complaints and suggestions

Feedback on your experience of our services is very welcome as it enables us to know what’s working well on the wards and what isn’t working so well. Any comments you have can be fed back directly to ward staff. If you make a complaint which you feel hasn’t been satisfactorily dealt with, there is a Help us to help you leaflet available, which gives you details of how to contact the Trust’s Patient Safety and Complaints department.

Also, there is a Friends and Family Test leaflet which we encourage you to complete. You can also add your review of our services to the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk.

Advice and tips from relatives and carers

Don’t be afraid to ask staff questions if you are unclear about anything – don’t ever think you are a being a nuisance. The staff want to do as good a job as possible.

Try and build up a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship with your named nurse or named care support worker / assistant practitioner.

You may need to think about Advance Decision making, so that your wishes are made clear to those involved in your care.

Do get involved with activities on the ward if you want to and do let staff know about your food preferences.

Relatives and carers may want to bring in food gifts. You are only allowed to bring in certain foods – we have a guidance leaflet on food gifts for service users. You can bring in: biscuits, sweets / chocolate, fruit (this needs to be thoroughly washed), non-cream cakes (no dairy products), soft drinks, crisps and snacks. For the full list including disallowed food, please ask staff

• There is a hairdresser on site – please ask staff about opening times
• Do talk to other families, carers and friends that you might meet on the ward during visiting hours. It can be helpful to hear about how other people, who are in the same circumstances as you, are dealing with things.

Contact us

Sandringham Ward, Julian Hospital Bowthorpe Road, Norwich NR2 3TD Reception: Tel: 01603 978429

Visiting times

Monday to Friday: Afternoons between 14:00 and 17:00 and evenings between 18:00 and 20:00.

Saturday and Sunday: Mornings between 10:00 and 12:00. Afternoons between 14:00 and 17:00 and evenings between 18:00 and 20:00.

All wards operate protected mealtimes which means that wards are closed to visitors between 12:00 and 14:00 and 17:00 to 18:00. 

Customer Services

Our Customer Services team provide confidential advice, information and support, helping you to answer any questions you have about our services or about any health matters.

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust values and celebrates the diversity of all the communities we serve. We are fully committed to ensuring that all people have equality of opportunity to access our service, irrespective of their age, gender, ethnicity, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership or social and economic status.