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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to be in hospital?

You may need a period of time in hospital because you are either in need of assessment, have been diagnosed as having a mental illness, learning disability or acquired brain injury that requires ‘detention’ or hospital stay.  You may be in hospital for your own safety and/or sometimes for the safety of others. Whilst you are in hospital you will get the help you need so that you can change your behaviour, learn new skills and start to solve your problems. It might take a while to make changes but the staff here will be there to help you.

How long do I need to stay in hospital?

It is difficult to say how long you will need to be in hospital. Everyone is different and progresses at different rates. However, at Partnerships in Care hospitals, we will tell you the likely duration of your stay as soon as possible after assessment and we will always be focussed on your progression.

Your own individual treatment plan will involve:

• Attending therapeutic group sessions
• Attending individual sessions with staff
• Complying with medication programmes if required

The length of time you need to stay in hospital depends on the amount of time it takes you to progress through your agreed treatment plan. You will only remain in hospital while it is considered that you need care and treatment. This decision is made by a range of people who have your best interests at heart. 

You will be able to monitor your progress regularly - with staff at Ward Round and also at your Care Programme Approach (CPA) meetings. This is where you can discuss timeframes for discharge.

Who will look after me while I am in hospital?

A group of healthcare professionals called the Multidisciplinary Team (or MDT) will be working with you whilst you are in hospital.

The MDT is made up of:

• a Psychiatrist
  
  The psychiatrist will be your Responsible Clinician (or RC) and he or she will be in charge of your care. Your RC will see you within 24 hours of admission on the ward and work with you and the other members of the MDT to make sure you are receiving the best care and treatment.
  
  Your RC will prescribe your medication and grant section 17 leave (a period of time away from the Ward – either in the grounds or community).
  
  Your RC will also write reports about your progress for those professionals interested in your care and treatment.
  
  
• Nurses and Healthcare Workers
  
  You will have one allocated nurse who will work with you very closely and a Healthcare Worker who will assist.
  
  All wards will have nurses and healthcare workers on the ward 24 hours a day and will discuss and plan your treatment with you when necessary.
  
  Your named Nurse will also write reports and speak with the Mental Health Review Tribunal about your progress.
  
  
• Occupational Therapist
  
  The OT will work with you to help you to develop your independence and daily living skills. The OT will also help you decide which groups and therapies you could attend.
  
  
• Psychologist
  
  You will be allocated a Psychologist on admission who will work with you to design a treatment plan and offer you psychological therapies. Your Psychologist will work with the other members of your MDT and sometimes advise them how to help you.
  
  
• Social Worker
  
  You will be allocated a Social Worker on admission who will help you to maintain contact with your family and friends and also provide support to your family and friends whilst you are in hospital.
  
  When you are ready to leave the ward, your Social Worker will assist with the transfer or discharge arrangements.
  
  Social Workers also make sure your rights under the Mental Health Act are protected.
  
  
• Healthcare Professionals
  
  You will also have access to a Nurse who will help you to take care of your physical healthcare needs and help you to contact a GP if you need one.
  
  Therapists (such as Speech and Language Therapists) will be available to you if you and your MDT decide that you would benefit from this input.

Will I have my own room?

Yes, each patient has their own room.

Can I smoke?

Smoking is not allowed in the building. There are allocated outside smoking areas at every hospital.

What about drugs and alcohol?

You are not allowed to bring alcohol, drugs or medicines that have not been prescribed by your doctor into the hospital.

The use of alcohol or illicit substances is not allowed during your stay in hospital. Staff may carry out random drug screenings on occasion.

Where can I use the telephone?

There are payphones on every ward. Your friends and family can call the ward and ask to be put through to you.

Where do I get my letters and other post?

Post is delivered to the ward every day, except for weekends. Please ask a member of staff if you would like any help with writing letters.

Where do I get my medication?

All medication is provided by the hospital and will be given to you on the ward. You may be allowed to manage your own medication.

What is the food like?

You will be able to choose your meals from a menu. Please let a member of staff know if you have any special dietary requirements. 

Where can I store my valuables and other property?

Our hospitals will give guidance as to how much personal property you can bring with you, and which items are ‘restricted’.

Each hospital will provide a place for the safekeeping of valuable items but cannot accept responsibility for such items. If you would like to store valuables, please give the items to staff as soon as possible and you will be given a receipt for these items.

What items are restricted (or contraband)?

Restricted, or often known as contraband, items are items that are not allowed onto the ward. Before you are admitted to hospital you will be given a list of such items. If you have any of these items with you when you are admitted you should tell a member of staff straight away.

How can I get my money?

You will be allowed to retain a limited amount of money and we will keep your money in the ward safe. You can access your money to buy things. Each time you withdraw money, you will be asked to sign to say you have received it.

Can I receive benefits whilst I am in hospital?

When you are first admitted to hospital, staff will offer to make a claim to the local Benefits Agency on your behalf, for any benefit you may be entitled to.  These benefits can then be paid into the ‘Patients Bank Account’ and can then be issued to you through our weekly bank session.

What sorts of things can I do whilst in hospital?

When you are ready, you will be able to get involved in a range of different activities and leisure activities. Our hospitals have fitness areas and some have sports halls where you can play team games or learn a new one. Other activities may include:

• Cookery Club
• Gardening Group
• Computer Skills
• Arts and Crafts
• Hobbies Groups
• Music and Drama
• Woodwork Skills
• Walking Group
• Swimming
• Creative Needlecraft
• Photography
• Fitness Group

Each ward has its own TV lounge and dining area where you can relax and you can get involved with community activities and events.

You can study to improve your literacy and numeracy or study for a new qualification. Partnerships in Care employ special tutors, who visit the hospital to help you with your studies.

If there is a particular activity you would like to try please ask a member of staff.

Is there a place of worship?

All PiC hospitals will make sure that your religious and spiritual needs are met in an appropriate and sensitive manner. Please speak to your nurse for further information.

Am I allowed to have visitors?

Yes, staff will encourage you to keep in touch with friends and relatives during your stay. Your Social Worker can arrange visits for you; visits will take place in the dedicated visiting rooms.

Can my children visit me?

Children under the age of 18 will only be allowed to visit after discussion with your care team.

How can I get involved in my care?

All PiC hospitals actively promote patient involvement. Community meetings are held on each ward on a weekly basis and provide the opportunity for you to actively participate in issues that affect your daily life. A patient representative from each ward also attends the ward Clinical Governance Meetings.

How do I get discharged from hospital?

To be discharged you need to progress through the treatment plan that you have agreed with your care team. Your psychiatrist can discharge you once everyone agrees that you are ready to move on. The Mental Health Review Tribunal may also discharge you if they feel you are ready to move on.

How can I ensure the hospital staff listen to me?

Firstly, all patients will have their own ‘advocate’. This is an independent person (usually from a charity such as Rethink) who is not part of the nursing team though who is regularly at the hospital, and who will look after your needs. They will help you should you wish to raise any concerns or problems you are having as well as support you in particular meetings.  

You can also choose to be active in your hospital’s ‘patient involvement group’ (or patient council) where patients can discuss a variety of topics that can be fed back to the hospital staff.

Our focus on the ‘Recovery approach’ to care, also allows patients to be active in many aspects of the running of the hospital, for example being involved in the recruitment process for new staff or attending staff or management meetings.

How can I access a patient advocate?

You can ask your nurse about how to meet with your patient advocate.

I don’t have a solicitor. How can I access one?

We are unable to recommend any individual solicitor. However, a list of accredited solicitors can be found on the Law Society’s website:
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/new/documents/accreditation/mentalhealth-memberlist.pdf

How can I make a formal complaint?

If you are not happy with any aspect of your care with us, firstly you need to put your complaint in writing and send this to The Complaints Officer at your hospital.

If you are still not happy once you receive a response, you can then take your complaint either to PiC Head Office, or directly to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), The Scottish Care Commission (Scotland), or Public Service Ombudsman for Wales.

For more details on how to complain, please see the relevant complaints leaflet.

 

If these questions do not answer your particular question, you may find this elsewhere on our website, or please look at the ‘useful web links’. For questions that you think other friends and relatives, would like to see here, please email your suggestion to info@partnershipsincare.co.uk.

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