Archived: Heath Close

Overall, patients told us they were satisfied with the care and treatment at Heath Close. Patients told us that there were activities that they were involved in. However, everyone we spoke with said that they were sometimes bored and there wasn't enough to do, especially at weekends. Patients told us the staff supported them to be involved in putting their care plans together and going to review meetings. Patients told us that they could have a copy of their care plan. Half of the patients we spoke with said that they did not have an advocate (someone from outside of Heath Close who came in and spoke on the patients behalf).

We spoke with the relatives of four patients about how they felt about the care, treatment and support provided. We spoke with some relatives by phone and some we met during our visit. They gave generally positive feedback about the service, saying that their relatives were happy, well cared for and had made good progress.

One patient's relative told us that the patients' communication skills, 'Had really come on.' but they had picked up some bad behaviours and language. They also told us that the patient liked swimming and hadn't been able to go as often as they would have liked. One relative told us that the staff were very good and that the patient always looked well cared for and that they were pleased with the support the patient was getting to move on to a more independent setting.

The trust had a strict no smoking policy and a total ban was operated on trust grounds. During our discussions with patients smoking restrictions were not raised as an issue.

Staff told the expert by experience, who was part of our inspection team that the hospital had got a grant for one of the gardens to be made, with raised beds, and the expert by experience thought it looked really good. The expert by experience also liked the frieze on the wall with tiles, which some patients said they had been involved in making.

Everybody with whom we spoke felt that they were given the opportunity to speak at their clinical meetings and felt in general they were listened to. However none of the people with whom we spoke were clear as to their involvement in the development of their care plan and alleged that they had not been given. They were unable to show us a copy of their care plan or care programme approach, some said they had not signed anything.

Several people told us about the bi-monthly patients forum for Heath Close; this forum was clearly appreciated by them. The minutes we saw were informative and 'user friendly'.

Nobody told us that they felt rectricted and generally felt that they had reasonable opportunities to go out.

Not everybody with whom we spoke was aware of their advocate contact details. One person told us they knew who their advocate was and would like to contact them but did not know the phone number. Another person told us that they had an advocate but they didn't see them or know how to contact them.

People who were detained under the Mental Health Act generally knew which section of the Act that they were detained under but some people were uncertain of their rights.

Everybody with whom we spoke told us that staff were supportive and approachable and they felt comfortable speaking with staff if they had any worries. In general they all felt safe and in some instances when some did not feel safe they felt assured that staff were always quick to intervene and address any areas of concern if they occurred.

The people with whom we spoke told us they knew who their key worker was and they all said that they found their one to one and protected time sessions with their key worker helpful. They all were generally appreciative of their care and treatment and in most cases, had an understanding of their plans for eventual 'move-on'. They were also aware of the medication they were on and what it was for.

Everybody with whom we spoke felt that they were given the opportunity to speak at their clinical meetings and felt in general they were listened to. However none of the people with whom we spoke were clear as to their involvement in the development of their care plan and alleged that they had not been given. They were unable to show us a copy of their care plan or care programme approach, some said they had not signed anything.

Several people told us about the bi-monthly patients forum for Heath Close; this forum was clearly appreciated by them. The minutes we saw were informative and 'user friendly'.

Nobody told us that they felt rectricted and generally felt that they had reasonable opportunities to go out.

Not everybody with whom we spoke was aware of their advocate contact details. One person told us they knew who their advocate was and would like to contact them but did not know the phone number. Another person told us that they had an advocate but they didn't see them or know how to contact them.

People who were detained under the Mental Health Act generally knew which section of the Act that they were detained under but some people were uncertain of their rights.

Everybody with whom we spoke told us that staff were supportive and approachable and they felt comfortable speaking with staff if they had any worries. In general they all felt safe and in some instances when some did not feel safe they felt assured that staff were always quick to intervene and address any areas of concern if they occurred.