Gender: Male
Age: 18+
Beds: 9
Each individual in our care begins a personalised care pathway that helps them develop necessary skills to move towards a less restrictive setting in the community. We want the men in our care to make their own choices and live as independently as they are able to. To achieve this, our in-house multi-disciplinary team (MDT) supports them with our model of care in which we adopt a values based social model of disability with My Choice, My Voice, My Life sitting at the heart of the model.
George’s Journey
In this case study we look at how the team at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke’s Redwood Ward have utilised a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Plan to help George reduce incidents enabling him to access the community in order to do the things that he enjoys.
The service is set in 10 acres of land surrounded by farmland. This quiet and tranquil setting is perfect for service users to enjoy the countryside. With great transport links, the team encourage and support individuals to be part of the local community. Taunton town centre offers contrast to the quieter country life with market places, shopping malls and many other entertainment areas such as restaurants, theatres and cinemas.
Inside the service each individual has their own en-suite bedroom as well as communal spaces including lounge, dining room, conservatory and a therapy room. Externally there is a sensory garden, horticultural area where service users are learning how to grow their own herbs, as well as plenty of outdoor space for parties, sports and BBQs. Our comprehensive MDT includes a mix of learning disability nurses (RNLD) and general nurses (RGN) as well as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology, meaning we are able to accommodate service users who may have complex physical health needs and associated diagnoses.
In addition, we are able to work with individuals who may present with specific high risks through the use of evidence based risk assessments. The team supports individuals in behaviour management, emotional regulation and offence-related work.
In line with Transforming Care, Redwood Ward supports the provision of care closer to home for men with a learning disability, and further strengthens our national network of specialist pathways. With a focus on discharge from the outset, the team place the individual at the heart of their own care, developing collaborative plans detailing achievements and progress towards transition to the next step on their recovery journey.
Our service user profile
- Primary diagnosis of learning disability and mental health complex needs
- May present with co-morbid presentations:
- Challenging behaviour
- Personality disorder, schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar disorder
- Dual diagnosis
- Complex needs and/or multiple diagnoses
- May be detained under the Mental Health Act or informal
- May have a history of repeated hospital admissions
- May have a forensic history
Our facilities:
- En-suite bedrooms
- Spacious communal lounge
- Garden with outside seating including a horticultural area
- Dining room
- Therapy kitchen
- Conservatory
- Internal sensory garden
Our community links:
- Local town centres of Taunton and Exeter
- Voluntary work placements
- Leisure centre/gym
- Cinema and shopping
- Restaurants and cafés
- Countryside walks
- Close relationship with Taunton FC
- Local YCMA for recreational activities
