Improving life for women on the Campbell Centre’s Willow Ward
The Campbell Centre, Milton Keynes is a 38-bed acute inpatient mental health unit. It has two wards, Hazel Ward and Willow Ward, predominately for working-age adults who need a hospital
admission when suffering from a mental health problem.
The wards are staffed 24 hours a day and the team consists of nurses, occupational therapists, doctors, pharmacy staff and domestic staff.
Willow Ward is a women-only unit, with 19 beds for women aged 18-65, including those with learning disabilities and occasionally adolescents aged 16-18. The length of time spent as an inpatient varies for each person.
Women have shared their experiences with us, and thanks to their honesty, the management team have been able to use this feedback to make improvements that have had a big impact on how the women feel about their admission, discharge, safety, and care.
Here are a few of the issues that emerged, and the changes made as a result of our presence on Willow Ward.
The language used by staff when speaking to inpatients
The language used by some staff was unkind. It was dismissive of the women’s experiences and feelings. E.g. ‘they, them and us’, ‘paranoid’, ‘delusional’, ‘attention seeking’, ‘it’s all in your head’ and ‘you’re very unwell’.
What changed?
Over 80% of staff on Willow Ward have now completed Trauma Informed Care training and staff have also completed, or signed up to, Personality Disorder training.
Not enough time spent with inpatients
Women told us they felt staff spent too much time doing paperwork in the office in the evenings which meant not enough staff were on the ward with the patients.
What changed?
Staff now stagger their note writing times so there are more staff on the ward. This allows more time to play cards, board games and generally engage with the women.
No clear plan or support for discharge
Women told us they weren’t given enough information about their discharge plan which left them feeling nervous and anxious about leaving.
What changed?
A newly-recruited Peer Support Worker now leads a dedicated discharge group which has been successful.
Staff not treating women as individuals
Women reported that they felt staff didn’t know how to meet their individual needs when they were unwell or in crisis.
What changed?
A ‘one page profile’ is now clearly displayed in everyone’s bedrooms. Each patient can fill theirs in to say what they need to feel cared for and safe.
Ward rounds are intimidating for inpatients
Women reported that they felt intimidated, overwhelmed and unheard in their ward rounds.
What changed?
Staff developed a ward round session with the Lead Nurse, ‘Preparing for Ward Rounds’ guidance and provided nursing support to get ready.
Image: 'My Voice', Google
