Your care
We want to give you the best care and keep you safe. We also want to make your stay pleasant and useful.
We will always talk to you about your care.
We will ask you about your physical health and your mental health. We want to know how you are feeling and about any aches and pains.
We will talk to you before we do any tests. We will talk to you about any tablets you need to take. We will always talk to you before changing your care.
When it is time for you to leave Bluebell Ward, we will plan this with you. You can bring someone to meetings if you wish.
As part of your care, we will assess your needs and then involve you. You will:
- Help to make decisions about your care and treatment.
- Have a named nurse and named occupational therapist.
- Work with your named nurse to make a care plan.
- Have a copy of your care plan and safety assessment.
- Take part in reviews to make sure your care is going well.
Your care will continue after your stay at Bluebell Ward. If you go on leave, and when you are discharged, we will make sure you get the support you need.
Your assessment
Listening to you
We begin by talking to you. We will ask about your mental health needs.
What will we talk about?
- Why you have come to Bluebell Ward
- How we can work together to make things better
- Your mental health. Your thoughts and feelings
- Your physical health
- Your family and friends
- If you look after anyone
- What you do during the day
- If you need help with anything such as shopping or looking after yourself.
When we know more about your health, we can give you the best treatment.
Your care will be tailored to you. This means we will respect:
- your race, religion and beliefs
- your background
- your gender and sexuality
- your age
- any disabilities.
We think about all of these when planning your care.
Physical health
Your physical health may be making you feel worse. This is why we ask you about it. We will always talk to you about any tests before we do them. When you come to Bluebell Ward, the doctor will normally:
- measure your height
- weigh you
- take your blood pressure
- ask for a blood sample
- ask for a urine (wee) sample
- test your heart with an ECG (electrocardiogram).
If you are worried about your physical health, please talk to a nurse or doctor.
Chiropodist
If you are having problems with your feet, please talk to a member of staff. A chiropodist visits the ward.
Medication
The doctor will talk to you about any medicines or tablets you take. They will ask if you have had any side effects.
If the doctor thinks you need to change your medicine or tablets, they will talk to you and explain why.
Our pharmacists can also help you with your medicines. They will tell you how much to take and talk to you about side effects.
Ongoing assessment
We will keep checking that your care is working so we can make changes to help you get better.
Your care plan
The treatment you need will be written down in a care plan. We will talk to you about the care plan and write it together. We will give you a copy of the plan.
You can talk about the plan at your weekly multidisciplinary meeting (MDM).
Together we will write about your treatment in a care plan. This will explain:
- what treatment you need and what it is for
- what services you need and what they are for
- how they will work
- who will take care of each part.
We want you and your carers or family to be involved in your care. Your named nurse will talk to you and, with your help, write a detailed care plan. We will update this regularly and talk to you before making any changes. We will give you a copy of the plan every time we update it.
The ward doctor will visit the ward each day. Each week your consultant will take part in a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM).
The MDM is a chance for you and your care team to talk. You can ask any questions about your care.
You can meet your consultant, doctors, nurses, occupational therapist and pharmacist. If you have them, we may also invite your:
- care co-ordinator or community psychiatric nurse (CPN)
- support worker
- social worker.
We will also invite your family if you are happy for us to do this.
