The programmes we offer, underpinned by CBT as the core therapy, Support programmes to encourage service user involvement and participation, and are designed to help the person stabilise, recover and return home.

We aim to respond to all referrals within one hour of receipt of clinical information and prepare an individual care plan within 24 hours of a person’s admission. We can admit people 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The service can provide a robust, yet still therapeutic, environment, specifically designed to support individuals who are experiencing significant levels of challenge. All short-term interventions we offer are based on the CBT approach.

Support and Outcomes

The team supporting service users includes an individual’s own primary nurse and an extensive MDT including Associate Specialist, Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Assistant Psychologist.

Minimising length of stay is a key focus for, and a target of, the ward and as a relatively short stay ward, with a focus on helping individuals stabilise, we offer a range of groups to support service users in the shorter-term. We also look at if the team can provide short-term psychological interventions – offering short psychology therapies for specific problems such as anxiety, sleep disorders and flash backs.

We collect and analyse outcome data outcome measures including Recovery Star.

Facilities and activities

All bedrooms are single, with en-suite bathrooms, and the ward has its own outside area, social and activity areas. Our activity areas across the hospital include a vocational cafe, large indoor gym hall, multi-gym, outdoors football pitch and garden area. There is an extensive weekly programme of activity available including gardening, walking group, fitness and modelling.

A “working week” of therapy and meaningful activities are offered at Orchid and activities and therapies are held throughout the week – we offer a minimum of 25 hours’ therapy and meaningful activity for every person, every week.

Our service user profile:

• Women, aged 18+ years
• Detained under the Mental Health Act or informal
• Experiencing difficulties that present a risk to the well-being of themselves or others that cannot be treated in an open environment
• Diagnoses may include:
  • Acute mental illness
  • Acute depressive illness
  • Psychosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bi-polar disorder
  • Personality disorder
  • Dual diagnosis
• May present with co-morbid presentations:
  • Self-harm
  • Substance misuse issues
  • Complex needs