Friends of Brighton and Hove inpatient support
Friends of Brighton and Hove Hospitals kindly supported Heads On in providing funding for inpatient equipment and resources for Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust inpatient units in Brighton and Hove during the lockdown. These were Mill View Hospital and Rutland Gardens Community Wards.
Mill View Hospital
Mill View is a hospital for adults with mental health problems. It has four inpatient wards that treat general mental health problems and one for people with dementia. Since the kit was delivered, patients across the wards have been utilising and enjoying access to digital technology and activity resources whilst social distancing and isolating. Approximately 30-40 patients have benefitted from the digital kit so far and all of the patients (80+) have had access to activity resources and self-occupying packs made up by staff.
Brunswick Ward
Brunswick Ward is the specialist dementia ward at Mill View. Occupational Therapist (OT) Claire said "patients expressed gratitude at being provided with something to use in their own bedroom. It has been helpful to have something tangible to offer service users on the same day as having a conversation identifying a need. The tablets have been invaluable; enabling staff to facilitate video calls between patients and their loved ones, at a time where visits have not been possible". She also said that the equipment has created a good rapport between staff and patients, providing a shared point of interest and something to talk about.
Meridian Ward
Meridian Ward is the later-life ward. Here, the digital radios have been particularly popular; improving wellbeing and reducing boredom through access to music. One patient said this of his radio: "It's beautiful." (He then used it so much that he drained the batteries in a couple of weeks). Patients have also really enjoyed the arts and craft material, which have helped people stay occupied using valued, creative activities.
Pavilion Ward
Pavilion Ward is a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) for male patients. "Our males of Pavilion have particularly benefited from CD and MP3 players. Music if often a key coping strategy for our patients, used to manage fears and frustrations and cope with the ward environment. Patients have been very thankful for the art and activity resources provided in our self-occupying packs", said Claire.
This has had a very positive impact. "In some cases this has contributed to a noticeable reduction in incidents of violence and aggression on the ward. Having access to the internet and personal music has been particularly beneficial to our patients who have not been able to leave the ward and who have been struggling with the ward environment".
Caburn Ward
Caburn Ward is a female ward. OT Aisling reported that the DVD players and radios have offered patients the opportunity to relax and immerse themselves in familiar sounds and films, whilst the resources have offered staff the chance to provide patients with resources to self-occupy in these challenging times, something which is "hugely reassuring" for staff and patients alike.
Aisling said "there has been a lot of gratitude expressed, and everyone appears very thankful that they have been thought of and made to feel special. The puzzles and colouring books have been especially appreciated on Caburn Ward".
One patient said "it's like Christmas, thank you". Another patient who had been given a personal DVD player said "I have never felt so special - I feel like a princess".
Rutland Gardens
Rutland Gardens is a rehabilitation and recovery unit situated in Aldrington. Inpatients received tablets to enable them to keep in touch with loved ones, as well as other electrical equipment such as personal DVD players and radios. They also received arts and crafts resources, including colouring books and puzzles.
Sarah, an OT at Rutland Gardens, said "we have been doing regular art groups since the restrictions/ social distancing guidelines have been in place and these have been well attended. We have also left jigsaw puzzles and drawing books in the main lounge for residents to use outside of groups. Again these have been well utilised".
Ward Manager Trina added "these kits have made it possible to set out bespoke self-isolations plans for patients where we would have struggled as they have little belongings of their own. So having DVD players and tablets has been very helpful. We have had to change the way that we run groups and day to day activity with the patients here, so having items to give to the patients, so they can occupy themselves, has been invaluable".
On the right, you can see some of the colouring book pages which have been put up in the windows. One patient said "I love doing the art sessions". Another patient said "it was lovely to have some gifts to help occupy my time".
The photo on the right shows some homemade cards that were made using the paints provided.
It is with thanks to Friends of Brighton and Hove Hospitals that we were able to order this quantity of resources for the inpatient units in Brighton and Hove. This has been vital to ensure that the effects of lockdown and social distancing, such as loneliness and boredom, have been minimised as much as possible. We couldn't thank you enough!