New Dawn Ward – Female Personality Disorder Service
Service & Objectives
New Dawn provides intensive, long term treatment for women living with Borderline Personality Disorder. We undertake the treatment of complex cases with multiple difficulties such as, eating disorders, substance misuse, short-lived psychosis as part of Borderline Personality disorder and ADHD. There is an initial three month assessment period during which we devise a holistic treatment plan with CPA meetings every three months.
Additionally, we are now able to offer a step-down facility to Bowling Ward. This is an open acute environment, suitable for patients who have made significant progress through the New Dawn Program and provides an ideal stepping stone between the confines of a secure ward and an eventual return to independent living. Patients on this ward are afforded a greater degree of freedom and autonomy, whilst also benefiting from continued participation in the New Dawn therapy program.
Who is appropriate?
Individuals must be:
- Female
- Aged 18 +
- Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder or traits thereof
- Those who self harm but without formal diagnosis
- Informal or detained under the Mental Health Act
- Able to recognise the need for help
Exclusion Criteria
- Severe mental impairment
- Severe Learning Disabilities
- Disorders of an organic nature
- Medical conditions that require immediate treatment in medical/surgical units
- A specific diagnosis of substance misuse requiring acute detox (although Dual Diagnosis patients will be considered)
Treatment Programme
The basis of therapy on New Dawn is Mentalisation Based Therapy (Bateman & Fonagy 2004). Simply put, mentalisation is a normal ability and is how we see ourselves and others around us, which includes their intentions. It is central to our communications and relationships. Therefore, how we behave is linked to our feelings, beliefs, desires and needs. So when we interact with others and the world around us, we use our understanding of ourselves and others to make sense of all this. People with Borderline Personality Disorder very often misinterpret their own and others thoughts, feelings and behaviours .Mentalisation Based Therapy(MBT) is focused on looking at thoughts, feelings, beliefs and desires of ourselves and others, in the here and now. This is done by both individual and group work.
The therapy programme on New Dawn is highly structured. We believe that consistency is crucial to therapy. The focus is on relationships. We try to be flexible in managing individual needs and obtain an optimal balance of intensity of therapy and needs. Each individual is involved in developing their own care. The initial focus of therapy is on developing emotional skills, relationship building, empathy skills and self reflection. Once stability is obtained trauma work may be undertaken if appropriate. We promote the development of alternative coping strategies to self harm, whilst understanding that individuals may still need to self harm. Thus harm minimisation is encouraged, as is self responsibility for the management of self harm.
Whilst the focus of therapy on New Dawn is MBT, we offer additional therapies that we believe enhance the development of an individual’s skills. This includes a variety of techniques such as EMDR, meditation, guided imagery work, body psychotherapy Art therapy and Music therapy. We also offer health promotion such as Yoga, physical exercise, healthy eating, smoking cessation. There are opportunities to pursue further education, voluntary work and interest/hobbies. Work with families is considered very important to promote communication, understanding and relationships. Close working relationships with the referring team is essential to facilitate ongoing care and discharge.
Our multi-disciplinary team incorporates:
- Consultant Psychiatrist
- Associate Specialist Psychiatrist
- Specialist Nursing Staff
- Psychotherapist
- Occupational Therapists
- Art Therapist
- Music Therapist
- Yoga Teacher
- Gym Instructor
- Risk Assessment
Making a Referral
For a New Dawn referral, nursing staff will take an enquiry over the telephone and will require information such as CPA, Social Worker reports and nursing records faxing to the ward. From this, staff will then decide whether or not an in area assessment is necessary and if so, will take steps to organise this with the referring team in order to facilitate a smooth transition to the service.
Discharge
A full review of the patient will take place prior to discharge including:
- Assessment of the patient’s strengths and weaknesses in the course of treatment within the low secure unit.
- A presentation for the type of medication, support, accommodation and other resources required for future stability and safety.
- Known warning signs of risk of relapse
The referring NHS team will attend CPA/Section 117 planning meetings. One month’s notice is given if possible and minutes are copied to the CMHT with the date of the next CPA/Section 117 meeting.
Contact the hospital
How to find us
Map, directions & public transport information for Cygnet Hospital Bierley.
