Welcome to Harford Unit
Harford ward is a 19 bedded male only ward in an acute mental health hospital in Plymouth for adults who are too unwell to be treated at home. They may be suffering severe depression, manic phases of an illness or experiencing distressing psychotic symptoms that may put them at risk.
On Harford we offer art therapy, mindfulness, relaxation and talking therapies, as well as support in understanding and managing medication used to treat mental illnesses.
We want people to feel safe, secure and happy in our care. Our ultimate aim here is to stabilise the worst phase of a mental illness as soon as possible, with minimum restriction, so people can return home and continue their recovery in their community.
Our aim
Our vision across the Glenbourne team is to strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment for people to recovery as quickly as possible and to be treated with dignity and respect, encouraging independence to return home.
To stabilise a mental health crisis as soon as possible, with minimum restrictions, so people can return home as soon as safely possible and continue their recovery in their community.
On Harford Ward we offer one to one support with Nurses and Doctors.
Also available are Occupational Therapy for individuals and group sessions, talking therapies with the Psychology department, as well as evidence-based treatments including medication in line with national guidelines (NICE).
Understanding our staff and their roles
Harford ward is staffed by a variety of Nursing staff including registered Nurses and unregistered Nursing Assistants.
Staff are here to make sure that care is safe and supportive. They will do this by carrying out a full assessment of the patients’ needs and coordinating the care that they require with other professionals.
Psychatrist / Consultant
The ward has a designated psychiatrist who provides clinical leadership and regular access to medical review-they will review patients weekly in ward round to discuss ongoing treatment plans, leave, discharge etc.
Psychology
We have a Psychology department which offers brief pieces of therapeutic work or assessment. At different times we also offer groups for individuals to attend that can help with particular needs, this can cover a variety of areas such as coping skills and understanding trauma.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational Therapy or OT focuses on what we do, why we do it and why we may be struggling with our usual activities. We believe that activity is crucial to our sense of wellbeing. Both the individual and group sessions we offer are based around ‘doing’ things.
The Discharge Team
The Discharge Team are based within the Glenbourne Unit. They will complete a discharge planner on admission, identifying what needs the patient might have when considering leaving hospital-this can include-housing, finances, bus passes etc.
Peer Support Workers
Peer Support Workers are present on the Unit and attend the ward during the week to support patients with any aspects they wish to discuss.
Independent Mental Health Advocate’s (IMHA)
Independent Mental Health Advocate’s (IMHA) are available to ensure that people, particularly those who are most vulnerable in society, can: Have their voice heard on issues that are important to them, Defend and safeguard their rights, have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives.
Pharmacists
A designated pharmacist attends ward round and are available to offer advice around patient’s medication offering further information around this if/as required
Wellbeing Team
Health Improvement Practitioners attend the ward on a bi-weekly basis to offer support and guidance around treating tobacco dependency and discussing and offering different options of NRT including ward issued vapes.
Dietician
The ward has access to a Dietician for guidance as well as practical input into patient care and will attend the unit on a referral basis.
Eating Disorder Intensive Treatment Team (ED-ITT)
They help to plan admissions and discharges for patients with eating disorders on the ward as well as offering support and guidance throughout admission to both patients and staff
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is available to inpatients within the unit by direct referral via SystmOne; the small team are experienced in mental health work and provide a bespoke service that includes specialist assessments, practical advice, individual treatment plans and reviews.
Pastoral and Spiritual Care
In addition to the overall hospital care provided, the chaplains offer a listening space for patients to talk about your story and experiences, to help you make sense of your situation. For patients with different religious beliefs the ward contacts separate organisations to offer resources and support to patients during admission.
Lived experience and Carers Lead
Based on the unit and works along side Discharge Team, supporting Carers and linking with community support services.
Housekeeping / Domestic Staff
The ward hosts a bespoke group of housekeepers who are responsible for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the Unit and follow local policy and guidance to prevent infections on the Unit.
The team are also responsible for delivering healthy and balanced meals to people in Hospital and use proactive survey and feedback to steer changes to the inpatient menu.
The team also employ Porters who are based on site and are responsible for waste disposal and movement of items across the Unit.
Receptionists and Administrators
The professionals on the Unit are supported by front of house Receptionists and team-based Administrators who assist in the welcoming and support of visitors, ordering and procurement processes and general administrative tasks.
Specialist suites and rooms
Extra Care Area (ECA)
The unit has an Extra Care Area (ECA) is a closely supervised living space, located away from the main clinical area, in which a single patient may be nursed away from the rest of the service users.
The area includes a bedroom, two bathrooms, living room area, wall tablet and small garden area this is to provide a therapeutic and low stimulus environment to engage a service user in intensive support to manage high levels of aggression, disturbed, problematic and disruptive behaviour.
Electroconvulsive Therapy Clinic (ECT) Suite
The Glenbourne unit also houses an Electroconvulsive Therapy Clinic which provides treatment to people receiving inpatient or outpatient mental health care in Plymouth.
The team consists of consultant psychiatrists, Consultant anaesthetists, Operating Department Practitioners, Lead Nurses, and staff nurses who work together to ensure that treatment and care is delivered in a dignified and compassionate way.
The service has been accredited with Excellence by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for ECT departments and adheres to the Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Policy v.5.
Place of Safety (PoS) Suite
This purpose-built suite allows for persons detained under Sections 135 and 136 MHA to be assessed in a safe environment where the needs of people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis are paramount.
The Glenbourne team is managed separately from other clinical teams within the unit and provides dedicated one-to-one care for those detained to the suite on a round-the-clock basis.
The PoS team ensure that people who have needed to be detained to a safe place for the purpose of having their mental health assessed should be cared for and assessed in a healthcare environment whenever possible.