Enter and view: CAMHS - The Beacon Unit
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Healthwatch Leicester, Healthwatch Leicestershire and Healthwatch Rutland undertook an announced enter and view visit to CAMHS The Beacon mental health inpatient facility on 24 July 2024.
The Beacon is located at Glenfield Hospital, accessible via Groby Road, with clear signage on the campus and a large ‘The Beacon’ sign on the building. Opened in November 2020, the unit was previously based at Coalville Community Hospital.
The ward at The Beacon has 15 beds for young people aged 13-17. There have never been more than 8 inpatients at one time on the ward, partly due to a 75% nurse vacancy rate. At times during high periods of acuity in the past three years, 12-13 staff have been needed for up to only 5 young people, the minimum safe staffing ratio is usually 6 to 5 staff for 5-6 patients when acuity is less.
Healthwatch spoke to two patients who reported that staff are nice and support them well. Both patients spoke about the food not being appetising and not for ‘young people’.
The report contains seven recommendations and a response from the provider.