Willow ward (Barnsley)

About the service

Willow Ward is a gender-specific inpatient ward with 5 male beds and 5 female beds, all en-suite. The ward is on one level providing disabled access and shower facilities/bathing. There is also a male/female lounge, dining area and small garden area.

The ward‘s philosophy is based on assessment, treatment and recovery. The aim of the service is to promote the wellbeing and independence of people with mental health problems. We provide high quality needs-led care within which focusses on helping individuals recover.

The service provides a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which promotes the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of all service users during a serious episode of mental illness.

We aim to support people to fulfil their potential by:

• Promoting wellness and recovery
• Offering health promotion initiatives
• Helping service users to access community services and amenities

Promoting optimum level of independence.

Why would someone choose the service?

Our staff work in partnership with other agencies in order to ensure that service user care runs seamlessly. We work in full collaboration with the service user and their family/carer, where appropriate.

The ward as a dedicated full time occupational therapist who works with all the patients on the ward. Occupational therapists help people to identify their daily needs and aspirations, providing advice on how to cope with their mental illness and other illnesses or disabilities.

When admitted to the ward, all patients are allocated a named nurse and associate named nurse for the duration of their stay.  Your named nurse will work with you to discuss your care plan, ensuring your individual needs are met dependant on need. Full health and wellbeing screening is also offered on admission. The ward works closely with specialist practitioners to offer advice/interventions dependant on individual circumstance.

Willow ward has access to physiotherapy, an onsite gym and a small library located in the Oakwell Centre at Kendray Hospital. We also offer a therapeutic activities group which includes chair exercise weekly, one to one interventions, relaxation, access to the internet and computer access. We also have a selection of games, DVDs craft items and Wii.

On admission, all patients are given a welcome pack which includes:

• Ward information leaflet
• Role of the named nurse
• Security of personal property
• Privacy and dignity leaflet
• Infection control

Patients are also provided with health promotion and wellbeing information on the following:

• Oral health
• Pressure care
• Smoking cessation
• Dietary advice
• Exercise advice
• Breast cancer detection
• Testicular cancer

Staff you may meet

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Support worker

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.