Archived: Dorothy Pattison Hospital

Since we last visited Langdale ward had been refurbished. This had improved the environment for the benefit of the patients. The lighting was better and the heating could be controlled, so making it a comfortable temperature to spend time in.

Patients told us that they can choose what time they go to bed. One patient said, "I can go to bed when I want but staff wake me up in the morning as I need to take my medication at a certain time."

Some patients were detained at the hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. They told us that they saw the doctor regularly who discussed with them and the team of professionals working with them when they could go out of the hospital. Some patients told us they did not get enough leave to do what they wanted to do. We looked at their records and saw that this had been agreed to ensure the health and well being of the patient and to protect the public.

Patients told us how staff had supported them. They said, "Staff make you feel welcome here." "Staff are alright.' "Staff are brilliant, they have held my hand through my problems and gone well out of their way to help me. I can open up to the ward staff and the doctors. I can see improvements in my health day by day."

We talked to patients about what activities they did. They told us they did exercise activities, played games and did some art and craft activities on the wards. Activity staff were employed to work on the wards and to take patients to other areas of the hospital where they did cooking, gardening, used the gym and spent time in the Faith room. Some patients who were able to went to the canteen on their own or out into the hospital grounds. Other patients needed staff to go with them to these activities. Staff told us that another benefit of moving Ambleside ward will be that all patients would be able to go out in the garden when they wanted to. Staff would be able to observe patients who need to be observed from the ward area. Staff felt that this would reduce some patients' frustration.

Patients told us that the doctors talked with them about the plans for when they would be discharged. They said that the support they would get when going home was discussed, so it could be arranged. They also had a chance to go home on leave before they were finally discharged to help to make sure they were ready for this.

'I don't know my rights under the Mental Health Act'

'I see my care plan, the staff talk to me about it and I sign it.'

'I don't want to be here but the doctor thought it was best. They do help you here though.'

'It's okay here, the staff are helpful, I have my own room.'

'I'm really happy here.'

'Staff have been brilliant, accommodated all my needs.'

'You can talk to the staff and have a laugh and joke with them.'

'Staff are very good here. I have a named worker. I can speak to the nurses anytime if I need something or if I am not happy about something.'

'There is not much to do in the mornings, more in the afternoon ' do gardening, cooking, quizzes, play pool.'

'Time drags sometimes.'

'It gets very hot in here (Ambleside ward), have to have the fans on most of the time.'

'I get my medication when I need it, I see the doctor at my review.'

'We can get up when we want to.'

'They showed me round when I came here yesterday. I know who my named nurse is but haven't spent time with her yet.'

'I feel safe here and see the staff often.'

'I don't go to the ward meeting I know about the service user who comes in once a week, I can talk to them if I want to.'

'There is staff around to talk to. If not happy about something I can to talk to staff.'