Enter and view: observing local mental health wards
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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.