Ash Villa

About Ash Villa

Ash Villa provides a safe environment for women who are experiencing an acute episode of mental illness and require a hospital admission. Treatment is offered in a relaxed and comfortable environment. The ward aims to get to know patients as individuals whilst meeting their acute mental health needs.

We aim to ensure patients needs are identified through a range of assessments. Intervention and care is  provided to an excellent standard from being admitted onto the ward. Each patient is treated as an individual with the ward aiming to accomodate cultural, spiritual, gender and ethnicity needs where it is possible to do so.

Ward expectations

What we will do:

• Staff will treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• We will give you 1 to 1 time so that you can identify your strengths and encourage their use in a crisis situation.
• You will be given time and space to talk freely about your feelings.
• Staff will encourage you to participate in planning your care treatment pathway to meet your aspirations and goals for admission.
• Any concerns will be dealt with in a timely manner.

What we will ask of you:

• To participate and be an equal partner in the planning of your recovery pathway.
• To be an equal partner, engaging in therapeutic activity on and off the ward.
• To attend all morning meetings to structure your day.
• To treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Admission

During the admission process we will carry out the following:

• We will complete an admission pack that details information about you.
• We will ask who you want informing of your admission and the safety of others and pets.
• We will need to check your belongings and complete an inventory. Any valuables can be placed in a safe. The Trust cannot be held responsible for damage or loss.
• We will carry out a physical healthcare screen to gain your base line observations.
• You will be seen by a ward doctor who may wish to ask you some questions as well.
• We will place you on a level of observation that will support your recovery.
• You will be seen by your consultant doctor within 72 hours of being admitted. The consultant doctor has overall responsibility for your care and treatment.
• We will orientate you to the ward and allocate you a bedroom.
• You will be allocated a charging locker to charge your mobile phone etc. (chargers are not permitted in bedrooms) This is located in the visible person room.

All smoking material including e-cigarettes have to be placed in a smoking locker in the visible person room. NHS have a non-smoking policy.

Upon admission you will be required to stay on the ward for the first 24 hours to be assessed so that the right care and treatment plan can be developed to support your recovery.

During the admission process we will ask who you do not mind sharing information with about your care and treatment. We will ask how you want to share this information (text, email etc).  With your consent we can invite them to be involved with your care and treament journey.

If we have concerns for your safety or someone else's safety we may be obliged to share the information without your consent. This would only be with the relevant parties. We will always inform you if this is necessary.

What practical items will you need?

Things you might need during your time at Ash Villa

• Toiletries
• Slippers
• Change of clothes
• Reading glasses
• Books and magazines
• Address book
• Telephone numbers
• Journal or notepad

The ward does hold a stock of basic items which can be supplied until arrangements can be made for your own items to be brought in. Please see the nursing team if you need anything.

Items you should not bring on the ward

Prohibited items:

• Alcohol
• Drugs - including non-prescribed
• Medication/legal highs
• Weapons including tools
• Pornographic information

Items you should declare and hand in to the nursing staff:

• Plastic bags
• Food
• Combustibles (eg. lighters or matches)
• Sharp objects (eg. scissors, tweezers, razors)

What will happen if you decline to comply?

Police will be informed and requested to attend if there is suspicion of illicit substances.

Meal times and visiting

Meal times

Patient meal times are as follows:

Breakfast: 8.30am to 9.30am

Lunch: 12.30pm to 1.00pm

Dinner  5.00pm to 5.30pm

Visiting 

Visiting should not take place during protected meal times. Ideally, visitors should provide advance notice of a visit and arrange with the ward. If they plan to come inside the building visitors will need to phone the ward and ask to book the family room.

Informal patients are free to go outside for visits but the nursing team should be made aware and given advanced notice where possible.

Ward access

The ward has locked doors and this is for your safety and that of the staff. To exit or enter the building we have a visible person by the main ward doors who will be responsible for signing people in and out.

Access out of the building, via the main ward doors, will be between the times of 8.00am and 8.00pm. However, please discuss with your named nurse if you require to leave the building outside of these times (eg. overnight home leave or therapeutic leave). You will be allocated a swipe card for your bedroom access.

If you have been admitted to the ward under the Mental Health Act, you are legally required to have Section 17 to exit the main ward doors.

You will have access to a grassed outdoor courtyard if you want to use e-cigarettes or get some fresh air. Smoking is not allowed on NHS property.

Observations

If the nursing team become worried about you, or consider you to be vulnerable or at risk, they will make every effort to keep you safe until you are able to keep yourself safe. This is done through observations.

There are 4 levels of observation:

General observation

This is the minimum level of observation. The nursing team are required to know where you are at all times. You must tell us if you are allocated leave from the ward and when you expect to return.

Intermittent observation

This is an increased level of observation. The nursing team will approach you every 10,15 or 30 minutes to see how they can best support you. You may be able to leave the ward but this needs to be agreed by the nursing team.

Within eyesight

This level of observation is to ensure your nursing team are able to support you at all times. You will be observed within eyesight. The nursing team will discuss your individual needs around privacy and dignity. You may be allowed escorted leave from the ward but this must be agreed with your nursing team.

Within arms length

This is the highest level of observation. A member of the nursing team will be close to you at all times. They are there to help with your needs. The nursing team will discuss your individual needs around privacy and dignity. Any leave from the ward is usually only agreed in exceptional circumstances.

You will always be informed if your observation level changes and a nursing team member will explain why this is. You care plan will be updated accordingly.

As your mental health improves, your level of observation reduces.

Named nurse and associate person

On admission you will be assigned a named nurse who will support you on your recovery journey. You will also be assigned a health care support worker as an associate. Your named nurse will have input into your ward reviews and will advocate your choices to support your recovery journey.

Your named nurse, in collaboration with you as an equal partner, will create care plans that support your goals, aspirations and perspectives. These care plans will support both your physical and mental health recovery. You will see your named nurse at least twice a week to discuss your goals and aspirations to support your recovery. Your named nurse and associate person will support you to complete your Well Being Passport.

Laundry

Our laundry is open during the day, seven days a week. It includes a washer and a drier. We try not to use the laundry at night to keep the noise levels down. If you wish to use this facility you need to book this at the community morning meeting daily and you will be allocated a time slot.

Your bedding is changed at regular intervals during your stay by the house keepers. You do not need to wash your bedding, however, if you want to do this yourself we can arrange this. You are not permitted to bring your own bedding, pillows or duvets due to fire risk.

Activities on the ward

There is an activity co-ordinator on the ward whose role is to discuss your interests with you and look at ways you may want to spend your time whilst you are in hospital. The activity co-ordinator will organize groups and activities on the ward. 

Some of the planned activities on the ward include:

• Themed evenings - eg. pamper evening, games evening, film evening, quiz and karaoke evening
• Arts and crafts
• Baking
• Puzzles

Our activity co-ordinator works closely with the occupational therapist and psychologist so some of the activities are linked to their workshops and group work eg:

• Senses retreat
• Positive mind
• Relaxation station

All of these are designed to help patients on their road to recovery.

Some of the activities are held in group sessions whilst others may be on a 1 to 1 basis.