A learning disability rehabilitation service

Transcription

1 A charity leading innovation in mental health Registered Charity No: A learning disability rehabilitation service Supporting the first steps to independence between hospital and community St Andrew s Northampton

2 Welcome to Watkins House: A rehabilitation service for adults with learning disability The data from the latest Learning Disability (LD) Census shows that the number of people with LD in hospital has increased not decreased. The reasons for this are complex, but as Sir Stephen Bubb s report from November 2014 suggests, only by a big expansion of community provision can we achieve a move from institution to community. In response to this, St Andrew s has developed Watkins House, a six-bed rehabilitation service for adults with LD. This new service will provide that crucial link between secure care and a full return to community living. We believe that patients stepping down from forensic services need a supportive environment to help them build up their skills and confidence. Our model of care will have a greater emphasis on active rehabilitation than traditional secure LD services. We will bring together the skills and expertise of LD professionals, supporting residents to build up their daily living skills, engage in the St Andrew s vocational pathway and forge links with the local community. This will allow them to build up a busy and satisfying programme of activities including recreation, education and work placements.

3 Once residents have learned the key skills needed to look after themselves, which will take approximately a year, we will support them in finding a long-term solution in the community. Dr Elizabeth Beber Clinical Director, Learning Disability Pathway

4 A stepped approach to community integration Residents of Watkins House will need to meet the criteria below: adults aged with mild learning disability Watkins House detained under the Mental Health Act 2007, under the provisions of DOLS or informal with a history of offending or challenging behaviour have successfully completed therapy programmes in secure services have a manageable level of risk. These criteria are a guide for assessing suitability, each patient will be considered individually. Watkins House is a locked rehabilitation service, registered as part of St Andrew s Healthcare. Residents might need to return to Northamptonshire from hospitals that are outside of their area or region months stay Residents can step down to Watkins House from the St Andrew s secure learning disability pathway Following a successful month stay at Watkins House, patients should be ready to move back into the community

5 Busy days Our aim is for residents of Watkins House to build on daily living skills while our experienced staff support them to reach their maximum level of independence. Having successfully developed independent living skills within a hospital environment, the Watkins House team will be supporting the residents to take the final steps to independence with a view to being able to: prepare their own meals manage their laundry maintain the cleanliness of their bedroom areas manage their weekly budget including their food shopping plus anything else they wish to purchase. St Andrew s will provide some basic provisions for the house along with towels and bed linen. A housekeeper will provide support for communal areas. The technical instructors will support residents in forming links with community providers, which will include: voluntary services education recreation or work placements. Our aim is for residents to register with physical healthcare services in the local area, such as GP and dental practices, and they will be supported by the Watkins House team to access these services as part of their rehabilitation programme. We can refer residents to our multidisciplinary team for services such as speech and language therapy or psychology, should any residents require additional support. If residents are part of the way through any therapeutic interventions, then they will be able to complete them whilst at Watkins House.

6 A supportive rehabilitation environment Watkins House is situated in a quiet residential area, close to the main hospital site. Providing six bedrooms, residents will be offered the following facilities: communal lounge area games and dining area fully equipped kitchen 2 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms 1 DDA compliant en suite bedroom on the ground floor 3 further bedrooms all with access to a bathroom garden with lawn and paved area.

7 Comprehensive learning disability expertise Lisa Powell Service Director, Learning Disability Pathway Dr Elizabeth Beber Clinical Director, Learning Disability Pathway Lisa Powell is a senior nursing professional with over 20 years clinical experience in a range of mental health services. She is currently responsible for the operational management of the learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder pathways at St Andrew s. Dr Beber is a Consultant Psychiatrist and leads the Learning Disability Pathway. After completing her higher psychiatric training, Liz has concentrated on her interests in forensic LD. As Clinical Director for the Learning Disability Pathway, she focuses on the vision and the direction for the Charity s LD strategies as well as actively contributing to research, training and service delivery. Naomi Elvin Ward Manager, Watkins House Sally Fox Technical Instructor, Watkins House Having worked at St Andrew s for 13 years as a mental health nurse, Naomi has extensive experience across the Charity s range of services. Working with, and empowering patients to develop their life skills is one of the most satisfying aspects of Naomi s work. As part of the Watkins House team, Naomi is looking forward to watching the residents build the networks and approaches they will need for fully integrated community living. Sally has been a technical instructor at St Andrew s for 18 years, working with patients with both learning disability and mental health conditions during that time. At Watkins House, Sally will utilise her skills to support patients to become independent ahead of a move back to the community. Sally enjoys the rehabilitative part of being a technical instructor and looks forward to supporting the Watkins House residents to access a full range of facilities in the community. A skilled and supportive team Watkins House will be more heavily staffed than other learning disability units, due to the intensive rehabilitation required to support residents with their daily living activities. Throughout the week, the following staff will provide input at Watkins House: deputy ward manager to oversee the operational and clinical management of the unit a qualified nurse a senior healthcare assistant a healthcare assistant a technical instructor working flexibly to co-ordinate day time, weekend and evening activities Watkins House will be staffed at night by a qualified nurse and two healthcare assistants. access to a full MDT including a consultant psychiatrist.

8 About St Andrew s: the UK s leading charity providing specialist NHS care sustainable not-for-profit growth, investing all surpluses in improved patient care investing in our people and our environments, dedicating 200 million over the last ten years to providing high-quality care settings major national secure services for young people, women, men and older adults in-depth expertise in trauma, personality disorder, psychosis, autism, learning disability, brain injury and dementia. Sheffield Nottinghamshire Birmingham Northampton Cambridge Oxford Essex London Improving understanding by sharing our knowledge To find out more about our learning environment, go to: standrewshealthcare.co.uk /academic-department Getting in touch Registered Charity No: For more information about Watkins House or to make a referral: t: e: enquiries@standrew.co.uk w: standrewshealthcare.co.uk/watkins St Andrew s Northampton Cliftonville Northampton NN1 5DG t: _0615 Individuals pictured are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.