Beechdale ward (Calderdale)

About the service

Beechdale ward is a mixed-gender inpatient ward for the assessment and treatment of any form of mental health condition for service users usually over the age of 65 years.

The ward is located on The Dales Unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax.

The ward has 16 single bedrooms separated into male and female corridors , two shared lounge areas and designated male and female lounges, dining facilities and outdoor space. The unit also provides an occupational therapy service with therapeutic activities and physiotherapy with gym facilities.

Service users will be allocated a key worker (a qualified nurse) to discuss their needs with and create a plan of care to promote recovery.

We respect the privacy and dignity of our service users and inform them of their rights – whether on the ward voluntarily or detained under the Mental Health or Mental Capacity Acts.

The ward has nurses, health care workers, doctors, psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and access to dietetic staff.

The team works closely with our community and crisis teams to promote early discharge from the ward back into the community. We also work closely with our local authority teams to ensure that a person’s social care needs are being met & supported on discharge.

We aim to provide the highest standard of inpatient assessment, treatment and care in a safe, therapeutic and least restrictive environment as possible.

Why would someone choose the service?

Our facilities are modern and designed to promote privacy and dignity. We also have access to a fully equipped gym and occupational therapy department for patients to use.

Our staff will help you work at your own pace and always respect your wishes.

We run activity sessions that all service users can take part in.

We provide ‘person-centred care’ – we develop a care plan around the needs of the service user and, if relevant, their carer(s).

We work in a way that is focused on recovery, putting service users and carers at the heart of what we do. We listen and act on what they have to say about our services and the way they are delivered.

We work closely with many other agencies to ensure the best outcomes for service users and carers.

Staff you may meet

Activity co-ordinator

Activity co-ordinators are responsible for implementing a range of therapeutic activities. Examples of activities provided include social, recreational, leisure, communication, sensory or educational sessions.

Administrator

Administrative staff provide essential support to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This can be in a variety of different settings, with administrators working as a receptionist in a clinic or a clerk on a ward. They may also be working closely with a consultant as a medical secretary.

Dietitian

Dietitians use the science of food to help people to make good choices about food and lifestyle. Nutrition is an important part of recovery and wellbeing. All service users admitted to a Trust ward have their nutritional state assessed.

Doctor

There are more than 60 different specialities that doctors work within the NHS. Each is unique but there are many characteristics which are common. Roles range from working in a hospital to being based in the community as a GP.

Domestic

Domestic staff have a vital role in helping to care for patients. They work in one of three key areas; catering, cleaning or laundry services. All of these services play an important part in aiding an individual’s recovery.

Housekeeper

Housekeepers help nurses run hospital wards. They are a member of a ward team and support the delivery of clinical care by ensuring the ward is a clean, safe and attractive place which is conducive to patient care.

Mental health nurse

Nurses who choose to specialise in the mental health branch of nursing work with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others, to help care for patients. Increasingly, care is given in the community, with mental health nurses visiting patients and their families at home, in residential centres, in prisons or in specialist clinics or units.

Non-clinical support staff

There are many people who work behind the scenes to keep services running and you may meet them in hospital or community settings. They include porters, cleaners, plumbers, electricians, decorators receptionists and secretaries who all work to make sure healthcare settings are kept clean, tidy and safe.

Nursing assistant

Nursing or healthcare assistants work in hospital or community settings under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. They help doctors, nurses and therapists give people the care and treatment they need.

Occupational therapist

Occupational therapy is the assessment and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions using specific, purposeful activity to prevent disability and promote independent function in all aspects of daily life.

Other clinical staff

The NHS employs a wide range of clinical staff, it wouldn’t be possible to list them all on this website! All our clinical staff are skilled, dedicated professionals who adhere to high standards of training and work-place practice.

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists help people to improve their range of movement in order to promote health and well being. This can help people to live more independently.

Porter

Porters work within the Trust facilities team moving and delivering post, equipment and medication to locations across the organisation. They also help to move frail and often very ill patients between different departments and wards in safety and comfort.

Psychologist

Adult psychotherapists work with people to assess and treat a range of emotional, social or mental health issues.   They help people tackle problems such as behavioural issues, common challenges such as anxiety and depression or more complex or severe issues, such as psychosis or a personality disorder diagnosis. 

Receptionist

Receptionists are the first link for many patients and visitors. They often work on their own or with one or two other receptionists, greeting patients as they arrive and check them in. They might also collect patient notes and ensure that these vital records go to the right healthcare professional. In a clinic, they may make appointments and arrange patient transport.

Social worker

Social workers help, support and protect people who are facing difficulties in their lives. They help people to take positive steps to overcome problems and improve their lives. This could involve assessing and reviewing a service user’s situation, building relationships with service users and their families and agreeing what practical support someone needs.

Specialist advisor

We have a range of specialist advisors working in our Trust – they give advice on a wide range of different things, depending on what service they work in. So it could be, for example, mental health, stopping smoking, healthy eating or diabetes.

Specialist health worker

We have a range of health workers who all have different specialities. This could be in a certain condition, a therapy or the advice they can give you. Our specialists our highly skilled and trained professionals, ready to offer you help and advice whenever you need it.

Ward staff

On a ward you will see many different members of staff, not all of them are clinical staff! Non-clinical staff include housekeepers and administrators. Ward housekeepers work with other staff to make sure everywhere is clean and tidy and that you have good food. Administrators have clerical and admin roles, like keeping patient notes filed safely, and they can often help you with general enquiries. If you’re not sure who anybody is please ask them to explain.