Brant Ward

Our philosophy of care

The team value everyone as individuals. We strive to enable by working to identify, engage and enhance individuals:

• psychological
• spiritual
• social and physical needs
• strengths and potential.

The safety, dignity and respect of those we care for are upmost. The team actively support collaborative engagement of both patients and carers in the design, planning and delivery of care. The team promotes an open and honest approach wherein the support of carers is essential and feedback on service quality is valued.

What to expect when you arrive

When you arrive, a member of the nursing team will spend time with you and your family (if they are present) and explain:

• The reasons for your admission
• The purpose and nature of the ward
• How we will deliver your care

You will be provided with an information leaflet anout the ward and answer any questions you may have about being in hospital. You will also be shown around the ward.

They will also need to check key information around events leading up to the admission and any past or current history that is important to your care. With your permission we will also ask if family can work with us to assist in your care.

A doctor will also introduce themselves to you. They will talk to you about your current health and needs, and prescribe your medication (if required). They will also carry out a physical examination, such as listening to your chest and heart and taking your blood pressure

A partner in your care

We feel that the best outcomes in care are achieved by working in close partnership with you and your family and friends. Staff will complete a capacity assessment with you and discuss your understanding of your hospital admission and plan of care.

The ward has a locked door policy and conducts hourly visual observations for your protection and safety. Unless indicated by law, patients are free to leave the ward following discussion with the nursing team. A leaflet called “your rights as an informal patient” is available on the ward.

Members of the multi disciplinary team

A photo board showing you pictures of key members of the multi-disciplinary team should be clearly visible in the main entrance to help identify who the individual members of team are.

Nurses

Nursing staff (Registered Mental Health Nurses) are available 24 hours a day. They have continuing responsibility for assessment and planning of your needs for nursing care.

A named nurse will be identified who will be responsible for your care and any of your concerns. When they are not on duty, an associate nurse will be available. These are allocated on a daily basis.

Nursing associates

Nursing Associates are new roles within the nursing team. Nursing Associate is a registered role which is designed to help bridge the gap between Health Care Support Workers and registered nurses.

Occupational Therapists (OTs)

OTs are trained to assess capabilities in managing activities of daily living and to provide continual promotion of independence. They also organise therapeutic activities (both group and individually) on the ward.

Doctors

The ward has consultant and junior doctors responsible for providing your medical care.

Health care support workers (HCSW)

HCSWs work closely with the trained nursing staff to support them to provide essential nursing care input that we have identified with yourself and/or carer.

Activity coordinator

In addition to the OTs, the activity coordinator is a role dedicated to the provision of appropriate and meaningful therapeutic activities, and enhanced social engagement, as part of your care.

Other members of the multi-disciplinary team who may contribute to your care (but are not ward-based) are:

Physiotherapist

They provide a range of assessment and treatments to help reduce pain, improve mobility and maximise physical abilities.

Pharmacist and pharmacy technicians

The pharmacy staff provide specialist advice and support with any issues relating to medication. Leaflets are available about your medications on request.

Social workers

Social workers help arrange services to support discharge such as housing, care-packages and placements. They can also help with financial matters.

Community psychiatric nurse (CPN)

A CPN may have been involved with your care prior to admission. They will continue to support you during your in patient stay and following discharge.

Physical health care nurse

The physical health care nurses provide specialist advice and guidance in the management of physical health care issues.

Chiropodists

Chiropodists are specially trained to treat or advise on all problems related to the feet. A private appointment is available on request with a service cost.

Chaplain

The chaplains provide a service of spiritual care to all patients, their carers, friends, family and staff.

Dieticians

Dieticians look at dietary needs and may advise on any specific individual needs.

Speech and language therapists (SALT)

Specialists who assess and advise on the management of problems with speech, language and swallowing.

Information sharing

You will be asked about who you would like information to be shared with on admission. Also be aware that staff will be utilising laptops and computers on the ward for inputting of clinical data to support patient care.

How your care will be reviewed and managed

Collaborative working and involvement in key care decisions are supported by regular ward rounds and the application of a process called the Care Programme Approach (CPA).

Ward rounds

These are regular collaborative meetings between you, your family and/or friends and the multi disciplinary team involved in your care. The meeting is held to discuss and agree decisions about your care, treatment and discharge plans. These may be consultant led or nurse led.

The Care Programme Approach (CPA)

The CPA provides a framework for effective care for people with complex needs. All individuals admitted to Trust inpatient beds receive care and treatment through the CPA process. A key element of this is that you, or someone acting in your best interests, are enabled to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of the assessment process. You can therefore actively collaborate in the development and review of your plan of care.

John’s Campaign

Brant Ward has signed up to John’s Campaign with the pledge to work in partnership with carers as part of our commitment to provide high quality care for all our patients.

We have a carers champion who is available for further information

LPFT carer set CPA standards

To support this process, you can expect the following:

• To be given the information so that you understand how we will assess and plan your care and treatment.
• To feel able to approach any of our staff for assistance and reassurance.
• To have the full support of a team of professionals. We will explain the different team members and their roles.
• To be involved with the assessment process, helping us to understand who you are and more about you.
• To be invited to attend ward and other meetings about your care. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the things that are important to you.
• To be offered the opportunity to help put your plan of care and treatment together.
• To be involved in any important decisions that are made, taking into account your preferences and choices as far as possible

Standards you can expect from us

As with all LPFT inpatient wards, we provide care under the standards of the CQC as set out in the CQC ‘Standards for Hospitals’ leaflet.

This leaflet helps you to understand what standards of care you have the right to expect in hospital and what you should do if you receive poor quality care. The list of fundamental standards can be found on the CQC website.  Notice boards displaying information about the CQC standards should be visible on the ward. These include current ward plans to address CQC standards.

Facilities

The ward offers a range of facilities, including:

• Our chaplain visits regularly and can meet with you individually. We can ensure that we cater for multi-faith needs at your request, including the use of a multi-faith room and visits from your own minister/clergy.
• Enclosed gardens and courtyard
• A hairdresser (on request)
• A physiotherapy gym
• Family room
• Bariatric suite
• An incoming phone line where you can receive calls.
• Newspapers are delivered daily. Please let us know if you would like to purchase a specific paper.
• Protected meal times ensure patients are given time to eat and enjoy their meals without interruption.
• We have open visiting although unless clinically indicated, we would like protected meal times to be avoided.

Showers and basins

Please be aware that our showers and hand basins self purge during the evening. You may hear this and wonder what it is. Please do not be alarmed as this does stop after a few minutes. However, if this is of concern to you, please speak to a member of staff.

Therapeutic engagement

On the ward, a number of therapeutic approaches are promoted to enhance mental and physical activity and engagement. These interventions play an important role in improving and maintaining well being. A weekly timetable of activities is implemented. These include:

• Daily patient meetings
• Seated exercise classes
• Word games and quizzes
• Arts & crafts, baking
• Relaxation sessions
• Links with local gym
• Sensory simulation
• Animal assisted activities (Pets as Therapy)

These are all provided within the overarching ward approach of person centered care where all the patients are treated like VIPs.

Person centered care

Person centred care encompasses four main elements. These elements are:

• V : A value base that asserts the absolute value of all human lives regardless of age or cognitive ability.
• I  : An individual approach, recognising uniqueness.
• P : Understanding the world from the perspective of the person in receipt of care.
• S : Providing a social environment that supports psychological needs.

Taken from Brooker (2007) Bradford University

Things to bring to hospital

Usually, admission to hospital is planned and you have had time to bring clothing and toiletries with you. However, if you have been admitted in an emergency, the following list may help friends and relatives to know what to bring next time they visit:

(The ward can provide emergency toiletries if required)

• Glasses, hearing aids etc
• Pyjamas or night dresses
• Dressing gown
• Slippers/shoes
• Soap and toiletries on a regular basis
• Shaving materials
• Hairbrush or comb
• Toothbrush
• Socks and underwear
• A small amount of cash
•  A coat - so as to enjoy outside activities

Laundry

Where possible, we suggest that a friend or relative takes your washing home to do laundry for you. Alternatively, there are laundry facilities on the ward which staff can assist you with.

It would be helpful if items of clothing are marked with your name. The ward is unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage of property

Visiting

Visiting guidelines

To meet the requirements set out in current Government guidelines and to ensure we can keep everyone safe:

• Visiting is by appointment only for an hour
• Visiting off site is supported for longer periods dependent on safety needs of the patient
• Children are not permitted to visit on site. This is as part of our safeguarding responsibilities.
• 2 visitors per patient for onsite visiting.
• You will be asked to confirm that you and members of your household do not have symptoms of coronavirus through a self-declaration statement
• Staff will explain any restrictions or need to carry out discrete patient observations during your visit

Whilst we will do all that we can to support you to safely visit your loved one, please note that staff will decline a visit if they have any concerns regarding patients’ health, your health or safety of others within the service.

Visiting arrangements

Visiting can be undertaken by prior arrangement. This is based on visiting space within our wards.

Visiting hours are:

Weekdays 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm

Weekends 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm

• Visiting is now open to friends, family and carers. However, there is a maximum number of visitors on each ward to ensure space and staff support as required.
• Specific spaces are allocated for visiting and not in patient bedrooms unless by prior agreement with ward team.
• In exceptional circumstances the length of visiting time can be extended. This must be agreed in advance when making the appointment with the ward team.
• In instances of End of Life Care a family will be supported in maintaining contact with their loved ones. A plan will be put in place that takes into account the needs of families and the patient.
• We encourage outside visiting. Visits can take place off ward, home or into local community dependent on the risk assessment for the patient.
• We will ask you about your health on arrival and check for risks of Covid 19
• We will ask you to inform the team if you develop any Covid symptoms post visit. This will enable us to support your loved one.

To book an appointment to visit telephone Brant Ward 01522 307873

When you arrive

• Ring the doorbell please to alert staff that you have arrived. Staff will explain the procedure and direct you to the designated visiting area.
• Use alcohol hand rub. This is available at all entrances to Witham Court for hand hygeine.
• Face covering.To safeguard our patients we are advising the continued use of face masks but recognise that this is dependent on personal choice. Our staff maybe wearing masks dependent on the Infection control advice
• Personal protective equipment. This is required only if you are asked to, like an apron or gloves. This maybe in particular circumstances such as End of Life where there is an outbreak.
• Support social distancing space. Please respect the safety of other patients, visitors, and staff you may meet.
• Use only designated toilet facilities. Staff will advise you which facilities you can use

If you are unable to visit

• We appreciate it can be distressing to be unable to visit your loved one in hospital. We have introduced a number of measures to help and support you at this time:
• You can telephone the Ward at any time or arrange with staff a mutually convenient scheduled telephone call to keep you updated.
• All our wards have access to iPads, so if you are unable to visit you can still have virtual visits. Please contact the ward or carers lead who will be happy to support you with this.
• If you wish to email photographs, letters or messages to your family member, please email them to lpft.carers@nhs.net. They will be printed and taken to your relative.

Children

Service protocols advise against children visiting the ward due to safeguarding concerns.

The family room outside the ward can be booked for family visits with young children. To use or book this room, please speak to a member of staff on the ward.

Meal times

Breakfast: 8-9am

Lunch: 12pm-1pm

Dinner: 5-6pm

Light supper: 9pm

Valuables

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage to property during your stay in hospital. Jewellery and items of sentimental value should not be brought into the ward due to the risk of items being misplaced or broken.

If you do have valuables staff can lock them in a safe place if you so which. Your bedside cabinet has a lock. Please ask a member of staff if you require the key.

Smoking

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust operates a no smoking policy on inpatient units. If you are a smoker, you will be offered smoking cessation services.

Alternatively, you can smoke outside (off Trust property) if you are informal or have unescorted leave. Trust staff will not escort patients for cigarettes, in line with our Trust policy. For safety reasons, all lighters and matches are to be kept in the identified patient lockers. All visitors must refrain from smoking.

Call alarms

There is a nurse call system on Brant Ward, which allows anybody to call for help. Call buttons are available throughout the ward and in your bedroom and can be used if you need any help or assistance.

Privacy and dignity

The NHS Constitution states that all patients have the right to privacy and to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to ensuring these standards.

Whilst the ward is mixed sex, each patient has their own bedroom with ensuite bathroom

Safeguarding

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring that people who use services are protected from abuse and neglect. You will be asked whether you have or are experiencing abuse or neglect. Our staff are trained to support and advise you on what can be done if you have to ensure that you are safe. Staff can also advise which other agencies can work with us to support you.

You will be provided a swipe watch which will allow access to areas you may use (e.g. bedroom, certain corridors and communal lounges).

CCTV

As a team we would like to advise you that CCTV monitoring systems are present throughout the ward in the public and external spaces.

The systems are designed and operated with the aim of enhancing the safety and security of relatives, staff and patients.

Observations

All patients are nursed on hourly general observations throughout their stay on Brant Ward. We will continue to monitor your observation level daily and this may increase if your risks change.

Please ask a staff member if you have any questions.