Your safety and wellbeing
Belongings:
We make every effort to make sure you are kept safe and well whilst on the ward; this means when you arrived some objects may have been removed from you.
On admission you should have been advised by staff not to keep large amounts of money or valuables with you during your stay. Arrangements can be made for us to look after money and valuables for safe keeping. These will be recorded on a property sheet, a copy of which will be given to you. You will be given a money receipt for any money.
Any items or money not booked in are the sole responsibility of yourself or your relatives. If you go on any leave whilst with us we recommend that you take all belongings with you.
Certain items may be restricted or prohibited on the ward please see below:
PROHIBITED ITEMS
These items will not to be accessible throughout your admission. However, if you do arrive with these items, we will assess if appropriate to be securely locked away and returned on discharge, or if they need to be returned to your family and carers to take home with them.
Prohibited items are as follows:
- All knives, other than cutlery on the unit or if agreed with MDT on an individual basis for religious reasons
- Weapons (actual or replica)
- Alcohol
- Illicit drugs or non-prescription medication
- Wire coat hangers
- Any heavy ornaments
- Glass items including bottles, drinking glasses, photo frames, etc
- Ceramic items
- Plastic carrier bags
- Electricals such as extension leads, Ethernet cables, console controllers, etc
- USB pen drives or other devices that can be used to store electronic data
- Telescopes/Binoculars
- Pornographic material
- Flammable materials and liquids (not including medications)
CONTROLLED ITEMS
Items controlled and issued to / accessed only with the support of staff:
- Metal cans
- Cutlery
- Scissors or any other cutting equipment
- Sewing equipment
- Wet razors/Electric razors
- Mouthwash (if containing alcohol)
- Hair/Beard clippers or trimmers
- Deodorants/aerosols – (Roll on can be held by the patient)
- Glues or solvents (for craft/occupational use only)
- Glass items – i.e. glass mirror or perfume
- Weight-lifting equipment (Gym only)
- Cameras
- Perishable foods, particularly dairy produce
-
High caffeine drinks (these can be provided to service users on request; however restriction and individualised care planning may be required where dependency is a concern)
-
Matches / lighters / Tobacco products / E-cigarettes – to be stored in lockers
-
Medical equipment – CPAP machines, TENS machines, BP machines, blood glucose monitors, bandages, (sharps and biohazard disposal issues), etc.
-
Aftershave/perfume
-
Standard size chargers (phone/Tablet/handheld games console/Bluetooth headphones)
-
Musical instruments (and associated equipment)
-
CDs/DVDs/Blu Rays
ADVISORY ITEMS
Advisory – It is advised that these items are not brought onto the ward. The ward cannot be held responsible for these items being held on the ward.
- Jewellery
- Expensive items such as watches
- Expensive clothing
- Sentimental items
- Large amounts of cash (suggested if brought this to be held in the patients' bank and withdrawn as required, i.e. over £20)
This list is not exhaustive, staff will use their discretion when items not on this list are brought onto the unit. Risk and safety will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and discussed with service users.
There may be occasions when returning to the ward that staff may decide to search you and your belongings. This is done because we need to reduce the likelihood of substances or items which could cause harm to you, other patients or staff being brought onto the ward. Body searches will always be conducted respectfully and by someone of the same sex.
Smoking
We want to help keep you fit and healthy and can support you if you would like to give up smoking. Please ask a member of staff for further information on smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapy. All smokers are entitled to one initial free disposable vape – equivalent to 20 cigarettes. These are then available to buy, in various flavours, from all patient shops. Please ask a member of staff if you would like more information.
Should you wish to smoke staff will accompany you to an outside smoking area, however staff have the authority to remove any smoking materials for safety reasons.
Alcohol and non-prescribed drugs are strictly forbidden on the ward.
Observation/engagement
During your stay, you may hear staff and patients talking about observation/engagement levels. These levels apply both on and off the ward and you will be assessed and placed on one of these levels. There are four levels which are individually care planned to ensure your safety. If you are unsure why you have been placed on the observation/engagement level you are on, please ask a member of staff to explain.
Sometimes you or others may become distressed so we will give more intensive support in those circumstances; this may include de-escalation areas.
Unacceptable behaviour
The Trust has adopted the national NHS zero tolerance policy and encourages the reporting of any form of harassment, verbal or physical abuse including any unacceptable behaviour by patients, visitors and staff. In extreme circumstances the Trust will pursue prosecution proceedings against any individual concerned.
