Enter and view: observing local mental health wards

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Summary of report content

This report summarises findings from Enter and Views carried out by Healthwatch Bristol, Healthwatch North Somerset and Healthwatch South Gloucestershire on local mental health wards. The Healthwatch visited five acute adult inpatient wards and one medium secure unit between November 2023 and June 2024.

Across the six sites, the Healthwatch engaged 37 service users and fourteen staff. A set of structured questions was used for engagement with service users, with questions provided in advance to staff. These questions also featured in an online survey for service users, friends and family between December 2023 and June 2024.

The report highlights ten key findings from the visits.

  • Less than 10% of service users had access to a written care plan.
  • 43% were unaware of the existence of a plan for their care.
  • Service users were concerned and frightened by new arrivals and noise at night.
  • Some service users felt unsafe due to violence from other patients.
  • Female residents complained about men being allowed to remain in female only spaces.
  • Residents preferred group therapy and wanted better access to the gym.
  • Service users felt that quieter residents received less attention.
  • Whilst faith is respected, less mainstream beliefs are not supported in the same way
  • Service users would like a healthier nutritional offer with more dietary options
  • Some discharge from wards was delayed due to lack of ongoing accommodation and support.

The report contains 15 recommendations, covering: care plans, safety, discharge, activities, cultural issues, staff interaction and nutrition.

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Bristol
Healthwatch North Somerset
Healthwatch South Gloucestershire
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Key themes
Building, Decor and Facilities, including health and safety
Caring, kindness, respect and dignity
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Consent, choice, user involvement and being listened to
Follow-on treatment and continuity of care
Food, nutrition and catering
Integration of services and communication between professionals
Lifestyle and wellbeing; wider determinants of health
Medication, prescriptions and dispensing
Patient/resident safety
Privacy and confidentiality
Quality of treatment
Staffing - levels and training

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Observation (eg Enter and View)
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
Announced

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
Adult social care, including care packages and social workers
Assisted living/Extra Care housing services/Supported housing
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and specialist MH services
Counselling/Psychotherapy/ Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
Hospital-based psychiatric care
Mental health crisis service

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
51
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