Fairfax Ward: Locked Older Adults Challenging Behaviour

Fairfax Ward is a locked environment where we tailor care for older individuals displaying hard to manage and challenging behaviour. It fully complies with current secure guidelines. We effectively manage safety through procedural and relational security, and provision can be made for longer or shorter term admissions. Greater reliance is placed on staff observation and support rather than on physical security arrangements.

Our aim is to provide a homely environment that has therapeutic, occupational and recreational opportunities within a continuous risk assessment/risk management framework. Ongoing assessment, medication and support are the key elements used to managing behaviour. The recovery goal is for service users to move on to less secure facilities, or into residential care.

Service users may come from a community setting, other hospital settings or prison transfer. Fairfax Ward is an ideal environment for step down from a low or medium level of security, for those requiring more security than an open unit can provide and for those who are currently being cared for outside of their home area.

There is no upper or lower age limit, although most of our services users are between 55 and 80 years of age.

We recognise a range of physical conditions that may increase the vulnerability of a service user and add to the complex needs and challenge of caring for the individual. These conditions may include (but not exclusively):

Huntington's Disease - some younger service users may also benefit from our locked environment as we recognise that this condition may develop in a person's thirties
Physical frailty
Terminal illness
Organic disorders
Cardiac problems
Diabetes

Admission Criteria

18 or over (although most of our service users are over 55)
Detained under an appropriate Section of the Mental Health Act / Order , including Ministry of Justice Orders
Exhibiting a level of challenging behavior that requires a locked setting
At risk of aggression, absconding, suicide or vulnerability

Personalised packages of care are agreed following assessment within 72 hours of admission including full physical health care checks. Care is delivered by a well established multi-disciplinary team comprising of a Consultant Psychiatrist, a ward doctor, nurses, occupational therapist, psychologist, and an activities co-ordinator.

We are able to offer a ‘pick up’ service if required.

Referrals

An assessment visit can be arranged quickly by either phoning or faxing a completed referral form. Referrers will be notified of decisions verbally and in writing within 24 hours.

Why Refer to Fairfax Ward?

Ideal for step down from low or medium secure services.
Comfortable, homely environment for enhanced quality of life.
We can cater for frail service users or those with physical health problems.