Your care

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 the Derwent Unit
• How we can work together to make things better
• Your mental health. Your thoughts and feelings
• Your physical health
• Your family and friends
• Where you live
• If you have enough money to live on
• 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 the Derwent Unit, 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 any of these tests, please speak to a member of staff.

What matters to you?

Please tell us what matters to you. You can have someone with you if you wish.

Medication

The doctor will talk to you about any medicines or tablets you take. They will ask if you have had any side effects.

It is important you know what your tablets are for, and understand your rights.

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.

Together we will write about your treatment in a care plan. This will include information about:

• what treatment you need and what it is for
• your rights
• who will look after you
• your observation and engagement levels
• your family or carers, if they are involved
• social care if you need it.

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 the care plan 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 week your care team will hold a multidisciplinary meeting. Sometimes we call this an MDM or a ward round.

The MDM is a chance for you and your care team to talk. You can ask any questions about your care and make plans to help your health.

You can meet your psychologist, 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.

About the Derwent Unit

The Derwent Unit has three wards. These are called Oak Ward, Sycamore Ward and Willow Ward.

 Each ward has 18 bedrooms.

You will sleep in a single bedroom and have your own toilet and shower.

You will be given a wrist band. This will let you unlock your door to enter your room. Other service users cannot enter your bedroom. Please note that members of staff can unlock your room but will respect your privacy.

You have the right to high quality care that respects your privacy and dignity.

We promise to:

• listen to you and help you tell us what you want and need
• treat you with respect and dignity
• treat you as a person and give you treatment tailored to you
• give you as much choice and control as possible
• give you privacy
• keep your details private
• involve you in your care, with the support of your family or carers
• keep you free from abuse.

If you feel we are not doing one of these, please talk to us. Tell your named nurse or another member of staff. If you make a complaint, this will not affect your care.

People of a different gender to your own may come into your bedroom. These will include nurses, doctors and other staff.

There are CCTV cameras in the Derwent Unit. This is to help keep you and others safe.

We have designed the Derwent Unit to be the best place to care for you. All staff are trained to take care of you and meet your needs.

Locked door policy

We keep the doors to the Derwent Unit locked for safety.

Observation and engagement levels

You may hear staff talk about observation and engagement levels.

After assessment, we will put you on one of four levels. The levels tell us how to keep you safe both on and off the ward.

Level 1 means you always need someone with you. All levels mean your care team will check on you often.

A nurse or doctor will explain which level you are on. If you have any questions about your level, please ask.

Sometimes you may become distressed. If so, we will give you extra support as needed. We have different spaces available to help you. This includes your own bedroom, a sensory room and a de-escalation area.

Smoking, alcohol and drugs:

The Derwent Unit and the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site are smoke-free zones. Patients and visitors must not smoke anywhere on the site.

We want to help keep you fit and healthy. If you would like to give up smoking, please talk to a member of staff as we can help.

We do not let you bring alcohol and non-prescribed drugs to the Derwent Unit.

If you leave the ward, we may search you and your bags when you come back. We do this to keep everyone safe.

If we need to search you, we will always respect you. Please ask if you have any questions about this.

Belongings

Please do not bring valuable or expensive items to the Derwent Unit. These include:

• jewellery
• expensive watches
• designer clothing
• sentimental items
• large amounts of cash (over £20).

We may need to take some of your items away to keep you safe. We will store them safely.

We can keep these in the hospital bank. We record them on a form which you will sign, or a witness can sign it for you. We will give you a copy of the form.

When you leave the Derwent Unit, we will give you everything back.

We may have to take certain things from you. This is to keep you and others safe.

These include:

• all knives, apart from cutlery at meal times.
• weapons (real or fake)
• alcohol
• illegal drugs
• medicines, including herbal products
• wire coat hangers
• heavy ornaments
• glass items such as bottles, drinking glasses or photo frames
• ceramic items
• plastic bags
• electrical cables
• electrical items such as console controllers
• USB devices or other storage devices
• telescopes and binoculars
• pornographic material
• flammable materials and liquids.

Some items can be given to you when you need them. These include razors and anything with a cable. We may need to supervise you while using them.

Controlled items

These items can only be used with staff support:

• metal cans
• cutlery
• scissors/cutting equipment
• sewing equipment
• razors (wet and electric)
• mouthwash with alcohol
• hair and beard clippers or trimmers
• spray deodorants and aerosols
• glues and solvents (for craft use only)
• glass items
• weight-lifting equipment
• cameras
• perishable foods, especially dairy produce
• high caffeine drinks (these can be provided on request, but care planning may be needed if we are worried you may be addicted)
• matches, lighters, tobacco products and vapes/e-cigarettes. These can be stored in lockers
• medical equipment such as CPAP and TENS machines, blood pressure machines, blood glucose monitors, bandages, sharps and biohazards etc
• perfumes
• standard size chargers (phone, tablet, handheld games consoles, Bluetooth headphones)
• musical instruments and equipment
• CDs, DVDs, Blu Rays.

These are not complete lists. Staff may take other items away to keep you and others safe. This will be discussed with you at the time.

A staff photo board will show you who is on the Derwent Unit team.

Named nurse

When you come to the Derwent Unit, you will be given a named nurse and named occupational therapist.

They will:

• have regular chats with you
• create a care plan with you
• co-ordinate your care while you are here
• make sure the nursing team know about your needs
• update your family or carers about your progress. This will only happen if you agree.

When your named nurse is not there, they will tell you who will step in. You can also speak to any other staff member.

If you want to change your named nurse, just ask. They won’t mind.

Occupational therapists and assistants

An occupational therapist will assess you in the first five days of your stay. This may not be your named occupational therapist.

Sometimes we say OT instead of occupational therapist.

The OT will check how you look after yourself. They will check if you can complete certain tasks.

They will check your physical skills. They will test how well you can tell us things and understand us. They will check if you can do the things you want to do.

These assessments may be one-to-one or in group sessions.

Before you leave the Derwent Unit, OTs may make sure your home is safe. If needed, they will help to make it suitable for you.

Occupational therapy assistants work with OTs to help you.

Psychologist

A psychologist may help you and your care team to understand why you are at the Derwent Unit. They may work with you in a group or one to one. They may advise your care team on the best ways to help you.

Consultant psychiatrist

You will have a named consultant in charge of your care. They will diagnose your illness and plan your treatment.

The consultant also oversees the ward doctors.

Ward doctors

Ward doctors oversee your day-to-day care. Nurses talk to the ward doctors about your progress.

Ward doctors review your test results. If needed, they seek advice from the consultant or a different medical specialist. They may refer you to a different clinic or specialist.

Ward doctors attend your weekly multidisciplinary meeting (MDM). They will update the consultant on your progress.

Nurses

All our nurses work as part of our team. You can talk to any nurse at any time. It doesn’t have to be your named nurse.

Healthcare assistants

Healthcare Assistants are sometimes called HCAs. They give you any support you need. They can help with day-to-day activities.

Social worker

If you have a social worker, they will help you plan for home or the next stage of your care.

Speech and language therapist (SLT)

The speech and language therapist (SLT) can help you if you have problems with eating and drinking. They can also help if you have difficulties with talking or understanding what people are saying to you.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist may help you if you have problems with your physical health. They can help you to exercise and to relax. They can help you manage pain.

Advanced clinical practitioner (ACP)

Advanced clinical practitioners are sometimes called ACPs. They look at your test results.

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team

When you leave the Derwent Unit, you may need some help moving back into the community. If so, the Crisis Team can help you.

We will plan any leave carefully with you, your carers, family or friends, and your care team.

If you go home on leave, the Crisis Team can visit you to support you. The Crisis Team can also help you when you are discharged.

This means you can continue to get well in your own home. You may also be supported by friends, family or carers.

Who is in the Crisis Team?

The Crisis Team consists of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, and support workers.

Early Discharge Team

The Early Discharge Team is part of the Crisis Team. A member of the Early Discharge Team may attend your multi-disciplinary meetings (MDM) or ward round.

They can offer short-term support when you leave the Derwent Unit, if you need it. 

Social worker

A social worker may help you when you leave the Derwent Unit.

They can advise you on:

• where you can live
• care packages
• finances
• any benefits you can claim
• voluntary organisations, and more.

After you leave, they may keep in touch with you to review your care.

Care co-ordinator

A care co-ordinator is usually a community psychiatric nurse. We sometimes say CPN.

You may already have a care co-ordinator. If so, they will keep in touch while you are at the Derwent Unit.

If not, we may ask for one if needed. Your care co-ordinator may visit you at the Derwent Unit to find out what you need to get better. They will make sure everyone looking after you knows what is happening.

They may also help to plan for you leaving the Derwent Unit. They may attend a discharge meeting. This is to make sure everything runs smoothly when you leave. They may also visit you when you go home.

Domestics

Domestics serve food. They keep the ward clean and tidy.

Catering team

You may meet members of the catering team. They will bring food from the kitchens to the Derwent Unit.

Reception team

This team welcomes visitors to the unit.

Spiritual care

We have a chaplaincy service to support you during your stay. Our chaplains can also support your family and carers. It does not matter what your beliefs are, our chaplains will support you. We will try to find a chaplain who shares your
faith if we can. If you need a quiet space for prayer, you may use your bedroom or the prayer room in the Derwent Unit.

Our chaplains can:
• listen without judgment
• offer bereavement support
• support with personalstruggles
• provide a link with a church or other faith community
• offer prayer, spiritual and pastoral care.

If you would like to speak to a chaplain, ask a member of staff.

Our inpatient wards are for everyone who needs them. Are you autistic or do you have a learning disability? If so, please talk to your named nurse. They will help other staff meet your needs.

These may include:

• how you like to communicate
• who you like to help you
• any sensory needs.

We call these reasonable adjustments. They help staff to give you the best care for you.

Your care team may need extra help to meet your needs. If so, they may ask the Neurodevelopmental In-reach team.

We will offer you a Care and Treatment Review (CTR). This meeting will make sure you are getting the right care and treatment. It will also mean you can go home when you are well enough. You can choose whether you have a CTR or not.

When you leave the Derwent Unit, we may help you get support at home.  

If you have a learning disability
The Intensive Support Team (IST) may help you for a short while.

If you are autistic and do not have a learning disability
The Specialist Autism Team (SAT) may help you for a short while.   

We may refer you to other teams for long-term support. 

We follow the NHS Reduction of Violence Strategy. 

When people are unwell, they sometimes behave in a different way to normal.

We want to keep everyone safe. If you ever feel unsafe, please tell a member of staff.

Please report:

• harassment
• verbal or physical abuse
• unacceptable behaviour by patients, visitors and staff.

Sometimes, to keep everyone safe, we must involve the police. We will let you know if this needs to happen.

Do you get support from family or friends? If so, we can tell them where to find help and put them in touch with other carers.

Carers can feel overwhelmed and forgotten. Our carers’ group may be helpful for them. It is for all carers, even if their relative is not in hospital. Please ask a member of staff about this.

If your family or friends give you a lot of support, they could get a carer’s assessment. Your named nurse or care co-ordinator can help with this. Talk to them if you think your family or friends need help.

Sharing information with carers

If someone is caring for you, we need to share some information with them, if you agree.

We may share information about care plans and your medicines. We may also give them advice on managing a crisis. This may help them to deal with difficult situations until more help is available.

There are activities every day and in the evenings at the Derwent Unit. These include arts and crafts, games, bingo, karaoke, film nights and much more.

Please speak to a member of staff if there are activities you would like us to offer.

Each ward has two outdoor spaces. One is the exercise area with gym. The other is a sensory garden with plants.

There are several places to buy food and drink in Chesterfield Royal Hospital. This is on the same site as the Derwent Unit. You may be able to walk to these with your visitors or a member of staff.

Cafe@TheRoyal

This café is in the main entrance of Chesterfield Royal Hospital. It sells hot and cold meals, drinks, cakes and snacks.

Opening hours:

Daily 8am to 8pm.

Stacked

This food kiosk is in the main entrance of Chesterfield Royal Hospital. It sells salad boxes, sandwiches, pizzas and wraps.

Opening hours:

Weekdays, 10.30am to 2pm.

Costa Coffee

This is in the main entrance of Chesterfield Royal Hospital at the back of Shop@theRoyal. It sells hot drinks and snacks. There is also a Costa Coffee vending machine for quicker service. You can pay with cash or a card.

Opening hours:

Daily, 8am-4pm

The Retreat

This is near the NGS Macmillan Centre at the back of Chesterfield Royal Hospital. It sells hot and cold food such as jacket potatoes and sandwiches. It also sells hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks.

Shopping

Shop@theRoyal is inside the main entrance of Chesterfield Royal Hospital. It offers:
• cold food and drink
• snacks and treats
• newspapers and magazines
• stationery
• Post Office services.

Opening hours:
Weekdays, 8am to 8pm
Weekends, 9am to 6pm.
 

Central Co-op

There is a Central Co-op supermarket on Top Road, Calow, just outside the hospital site.

Opening hours:
Daily, 7am to 10pm.

Each ward at the Derwent Unit has an outdoor gym with training equipment. There is also an indoor gym in the shared therapy suite.

A doctor will need to make sure you are fit and well enough to use the gym. A member of staff will need to be with you while you use the gym equipment.

Each ward has two outdoor spaces. One is the exercise area with gym. The other is a sensory garden with plants..