Enter and view: The Ladywell Unit, Powell Ward
Download (PDF 422.97 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Lewisham conducted an announced Enter and View visit to the Powell Ward, an all male acute mental health care ward, in the Ladywell Unit on 9 July 2018.
During the visit to Powell Ward, the Healthwatch Lewisham Enter and View Authorised Representatives observed it to be clean, hazard free and relatively quiet. Staff appeared friendly, helpful and welcoming. The majority of the patients spoken to appeared comfortable and happy on the ward. The main issues noted appeared to be around lack of activities for patients. A few patients spoken to listed ‘sleeping’ as an activity, which leads the visiting team to believe that patients are not being stimulated enough. There was an understanding that the staff do all they can, and an acknowledgement that they are restricted by resources.
The Authorised Representatives were also concerned that the staff reported not having the same benefits as Lewisham and Greenwich Trust staff – mainly parking and security.
The Authorised Representatives also noted that, whilst smoking is not something they would advocate, they believed that the patients should be able to go outside for a cigarette if they chose to do so. This would mean that patients are less likely to smoke in secret on the ward which could pose health and safety risks. Additionally, patients could be provided with stop smoking support and advice.
The report made a number of recommendations which were responded to positively - the Trust have assigned a staff member to look at activities are wanted and to implement these on the ward, and the provider also gave a very thorough response to the recommendation regarding smoking and the policies which the Trust follows which do not allow for NHS staff to support the use of tobacco products.