As part of the Culture of Care Programme, Livewell’s Bridford Unit is celebrating a positive change that they have made to their environment for both patients and staff.
The Culture of Care programme is all about raising the standards of care by improving culture and creating inpatient mental health, learning disability, and autism units that are safe, therapeutic, and equitable places to be cared for—and to work in.
Livewell’s Mental Health Units: Harford, Cotehele, Bridford, Syrena, Lee Mill, Greenfields, and Edgcumbe, are participating in the programme, each implementing creative ‘ideas of change’ to support the 12 standards of care.
Bridford’s Idea of Change
Bridford’s idea of change was to transform the old calm room to make it more accessible and autism-informed, in line with least restrictive practice.
In the past, patients needed to request access to the spaces (as the doors were locked), limiting the spaces usefulness.
Now, thanks to collaboration from both patients and staff, the calm room has been redesigned and renamed, and the room doors are kept open, which helps to meet the physical and mental needs of the patients and supports staff to deliver therapeutic care practices.
Thanks to a vote by the ladies on the unit, the calm room is now referred to as the sunflower room.
This is a fantastic example of how a small change can play a big role in creating a positive and more inclusive environment.
To find out more about Livewell’s Mental Health Units, please visit: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/inpatient-mental-health-neurology/glenbourne
