Enter and view: Mary Seacole Ward

Healthwatch Wandsworth visited the In-Patient Elderly Rehabilitation Service (IERS) on Mary Seacole Ward to assess the experiences of older patients receiving rehabilitation following illness, injury or a hospital stay. Overall, patients were positive about the care they received and the ward was viewed as providing an effective rehabilitation service that helps many older people regain independence and return home. 

However, the report found that patients were not always given enough information about the ward, their rehabilitation goals or discharge plans. Some patients felt nursing staff were overstretched, and several reported that therapy sessions were less frequent than expected. Healthwatch also felt there was scope to make the ward environment more stimulating and supportive of independence. 

Key Findings

• Most patients were positive about the quality of nursing care and staff attitudes. 
• Rehabilitation staff were committed to personalised, goal-based care, but patients were not always fully involved in setting or understanding their goals.
• Some patients felt they would benefit from more intensive therapy and weekend therapy provision. 
• Nursing staff shortages and reliance on temporary staff were identified as concerns. 
• Patients often lacked clear information about admission, rehabilitation and discharge arrangements. 
• The ward environment was described as safe and calm but offered limited activities, entertainment and opportunities to promote independence.

Conclusion

Healthwatch concluded that Mary Seacole Ward provides a generally positive rehabilitation service and plays an important role in helping older people recover and return home. The report recommended improved patient information, greater involvement in rehabilitation planning, increased therapy capacity, clearer discharge communication, and measures to enhance patient independence and wellbeing during their stay.