Saunders Ward: Men's Low Secure, Complex Needs

Care Pathway

Saunders Ward has a unique care-pathway structure that addresses different and achievable individualised rehabilitation programs that enable service users to re-integrate into the community/society. The ward is part of the integrated male care pathway at Cygnet Hospital Stevenage which includes our medium secure service on Peplau Ward. We also work closely with our sister Cygnet units to move service users on to locked rehabilitation or supported living when deemed appropriate.

Therapy

Due to our vast and variable progressive rehab focused structure service users admitted onto Saunders Ward may well present with challenging mental health complexities and behaviours including the need for secure services placement.

The ward is structured in a systematic manner that encourages service users to undergo a robust and gradual progress in regaining confidence and an independent future. This is made possible by giving each individual the responsibility and support towards planning and achieving their identified pathway. The progress of this responsibility is measured by the Traffic-Light System in conjunction with My Shared Pathway.

Service Users are encouraged to participate in the occupational therapy program which encompasses access to vocational opportunities, via the hospital vocational skills program and NVQ training in Hospitality or Housekeeping. Links are forged with community voluntary work programs and the local MIND service.

Our structured therapy programmes includes:

• Reasoning and Rehabilitation
• Recovery Star
• Schema based group work
• Substance Misuse groups
• Healthy relationships group

Our ultimate goal is to encourage the empowerment an individual needs before returning to living and engaging fully in the community.

Core Values & Philosophy of Care

Cygnet Hospital Stevenage is built to MSU standards, however, there is a clear demarcation of LSU standards on Saunders Ward evidenced by our procedural and relational security standards. This is achievable by providing the least restrictive environment and least restrictive procedural structure such as allowing TV’s in personal bedrooms, laptops, a library and computer station on the ward.

Admission Criteria

The majority of referrals to the service come from a variety of sources including the criminal justice system, high secure step down, community, probation services and other specialist mental health hospitals. Our admission criteria is as follows:

• Patients detained under provisions of the Mental Health Act
• Male gender, aged 18 years or over
• Primary diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of serious mental illness, detainable under the Mental Health Act 1983
• Previous admission to a special hospital, patient thought by his current clinical team to require further care in conditions of medium security
• Potential to benefit from the treatment provided
• Willingness to participate in the transfer process (e.g. familiarisation visits, overnight stays)

Exclusion Criteria

• Informal patients
• Primary diagnosis of significant learning disability
• Individuals under the age of 18 years
• A sole diagnosis of personality disorder. However in cases were the diagnosis of personality disorders is suspected but not clearly established we can provide a service for diagnostic clarification and further pathway planning.

For more information, or to make a referral, please call the hospital on 01438 342 942.