Inpatient
What are the aims of inpatient treatment?
On Welford Ward we -
Actively engage people to work in collaboration with us.
Prompt shared responsibility for individuals own recovery.
Help patients understand and disentangle themselves from their disorder.
Facilitate weight restoration.
Use evidence based treatment and achieve best clinical practice.
Treat patients and their families with dignity and respect.
Deliver care in a patient centred approach.
Do I have to be weighed?
We weigh all inpatients twice weekly in order to monitor progress with weight gain. This is in line with the Royal College of Psychiatrists required standards for eating disorder inpatient units (Accreditation for Inpatient Mental Health Services / Quality Network for Eating Disorders- AIMS/QED).
Can my family or friends be involved in my treatment?
Most people who are in hospital feel that they would like their families, friends and carers to be involved in their treatment in some way. However, there may be some aspects of a patients treatment that they wish to keep between themselves and the clinical team. Occasionally some patients will express the wish that their family/carers are not involved in their treatment at all.
If the person wants their family/friends/carers to be involved in their treatment this may take several different forms. Often it might be that they will join in on informal discussions about treatment with members of the nursing or medical team. The majority of patients will also have regular scheduled reviews of their treatment that involve the whole treatment team, and they may be keen for carers/relative/friend to attend these. Occasionally it might be helpful for patients and their partners to meet with one of our clinicians to discuss any problems and how things are going or sometimes it might be that meetings with the patient and either their mother or father would be helpful.
The kinds of meetings that take place will usually depend on both an individual assessment of each patient’s problem and also, most importantly, on what the patient feels would be helpful.
This service recognises that carers have needs in their own right and that supporting a loved one with an eating disorder can be stressful.
There is a local carers group which is run by carers at the Bennion Centre, located on the Glenfield Hospital site. The group meets monthly and provides space for mutual support. The Adult Eating Disorder Service provides input into this group when requested. This involves topic based discussions, presentations, information sharing etc. Senior staff in the service maintain regular contact with the group. If you are interested in finding out more about this group please ask the person you are seeing to give you the relevant information or email..
All service users can expect that the ward will keep in regular contact with carers during admission with the needs of carers also considered. Carers will be given a copy of the service carers pack when you are admitted.
Carers are also entitled to access this pack by telephoning our secretaries on 0116 225 2557.
Who are the different staff on the ward and what do they do?
There are a number of different staff that work on the ward, for full details please visit our 'who's who on the ward' page.
What are the working patterns of staff on the ward?
The ward can be a busy place but most patients soon get used to the routine and feel settled. Nursing staff have a change of shift up to three times a day.
A notice board on the ward will tell you which staff are on duty that day and night and will indicate the Nurse in Charge on every shift.
The other staff members from the team who are involved in your care tend to work between 9.00 and 5.00pm on weekdays.
When are the meal times on Welford ward?
Meals are served at the following times:
• Breakfast between 08:15 and 08:30 • Lunch 12:15 • Evening Snack 16:00 • Tea 19:00
Will I be fed with a naso-gastric tube?
Almost all of our patients will manage weight restoration eating the food provided on the ward at mealtimes. However in certain circumstances naso-gastric tube feeding may be more clinically appropriate. This will always be discussed with you by your consultant psychiatrist if it is thought to be necessary for you.
How do I contact Welford Ward?
Our address is: Welford Ward, Bennion Centre, Glenfield Hospital Site, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9DZ
Ward telephone numbers:
0116 295 1511
0116 295 1474
Can my family and friends contact the ward?
Yes, carers, family and friends can call the office phone. The number is 0116 295 1511.
Where can I do my washing?
There are laundry facilities on the ward and the staff will let you know on which days you are able to use these facilities. Some patients prefer their family to do their washing.
We ask that you provide your own washing powder.
Where can I have a bath or shower?
There are en-suite sink and toilet facilities for some bedrooms on the ward and there are also three shower rooms and one bathroom. Patients are requested to bring in their own toiletries. The bathing facilities are routinely cleaned but additional cleaning products can be obtained from nursing staff if required.
Is there a shop nearby?
There is a vending machine in the main reception of the Bennion Centre and a shop and restaurant in the Glenfield Hospital. The shop sells newspapers, magazines, drinks, snacks and some toiletries. However, due to the nature of the difficulties faced by our patients, most will have their access to buying snacks restricted.
What is a CPA?
The Care Programme Approach (CPA) is a formal process that is used to co-ordinate the care of people with complex needs who may require the support of a number of different professionals or agencies.
If it seems that CPA would be helpful in your case then you will be provided with a leaflet that will explain the process to you.
Will I be forced to become an inpatient?
Within the Leicestershire Adult Eating Disorders Service we aim to form a partnership with you so that we can jointly work out what is best and what can be managed. Others can help but it is the person who suffers from the disorder that must take the central role and responsibility for recovery. Almost all patients who come for treatment are well enough to make informed decisions about their care and what is best for them. However, very rarely, a person may become so unwell that they are no longer able to do this. This may result in their becoming a danger to themselves or to others. In such rare circumstances it may be necessary to seek to arrange treatment under one of the provisions of the Mental Health Act. Compulsory treatment is rare and cannot take place without the agreement of approved doctors and social workers. The patient has a right of appeal and this must be taken into account. In the unlikely event of this kind of procedure applying to you your full rights would be explained to you.
Can I bring my own belongings with me when I am an inpatient?
Yes, however, it is important to remember that storage space is limited. We encourage all patients to be responsible for their own possessions. We would advise you not to bring valuable items, such as jewellery, onto the ward.
We cannot accept any responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property, including money, unless you have been given an official receipt from the Trust.
What happens if I lose or damage my belongings when I am an inpatient?
We cannot accept any responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property, including money, unless you have been given an official receipt from the Trust.
Can I bring electrical items into hospital with me?
Items such as televisions, stereos, and laptops are allowed but require testing by hospital estates staff before use.
Can I bring my mobile phone into hospital with me?
Mobile phones are allowed on the ward but patients are requested to have them turned off during meal times and group activities. We will provide you with some guidance about the use of mobile phones to ensure the privacy, dignity and respect of all patients, staff and visitors on the ward.
Can I bring my own towels and bed linen?
The ward has a supply of clean linen and towels as well as duvets and pillows. Duvets and duvet covers from home are not allowed due to health and safety legislation.
Are there any prohibited items?
Please do not bring dangerous objects, such as knives, onto our premises. Items such as razors and nail scissors should be handed to staff for safe keeping until they are needed.
Please help us maintain a safe environment by not consuming alcohol or drugs whilst you are an inpatient. If you need any help or advice regarding alcohol or drug use, please talk to your named nurse as specialist help is available.
What clothes should I bring into hospital with me?
Patients are requested to wear appropriate clothing whilst on the ward. In view of the expected weight restoration and change in body shape it is advisable to bring loose, casual clothing. It is not appropriate for short or revealing clothing to be worn.
Should I bring my medication in with me?
All medication, including ‘over the counter’ medication, brought into hospital from home will be stored safely on the ward by the nursing staff or you can ask your relatives to take them home. This can be returned to the patient upon their discharge.
Whilst patients are in hospital all medication will be prescribed and provided by the ward.
What are the ward visiting times?
Visitors times are between 11:00 and 20:00. Visiting times are balanced around the therapeutic timetable and mealtimes. We would be expecting patients to be engaging and prioritising therapeutic treatment so please take this into consideration when arranging visits. Visitors will also be asked to leave the unit around protected mealtimes:
Lunch: 12:00 – 13.45 Snack: 15.45 – 16.30 Tea: 18.45 – 20.00
Please talk to nursing staff if you expect to receive visits from children. Children may visit the ward with prior arrangement, we have visiting areas suitable for families that we can book for you. Children under 14 are not permitted to enter the main part of the ward.
Are children allowed to visit the ward?
Please talk to nursing staff if you expect to receive visits from children. Children may visit the ward with prior arrangement with the nursing staff; we do have visiting areas suitable for families that we can book for you.
Bank & cashpoint facilities
The Bradgate Unit, which is linked by a corridor to the Bennion Centre, has a patients’ bank that can be used to deposit and withdraw money as required. Benefit books can be handed into the bank and every Thursday these will be cashed and the money withdrawn. The Ward Clerk can assist with deposits and withdrawals.
The patient’s bank is only open Mondays to Fridays between 9:00am and 1:00pm.
There is a cash point situated at the main reception of Glenfield Hospital.
Can I smoke in hospital?
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust became a smoke free Trust across all it's hospital and community sites from 1st October 2016. As an inpatient ward we will be abiding by this. Anyone who smokes will be offered alternatives in the way of Nicotine Replacement Therapy or will be able to use e-cigarettes. If you would like to think about giving up smoking our staff will be very pleased to support you with this. The use of e-cigarettes will not be permitted inside the building but a designated area will be available in the ward courtyard.
Can I drive when I am an inpatient?
Patients with a body mass index below 15 are advised not to drive and are required to inform the DVLA of their condition. As both mental health difficulties and medication affect concentration, please ask your consultant psychiatrist for advice before you drive a vehicle.
Can I bring my car when I am an inpatient?
We ask inpatients not to bring vehicles onto our premises or car parks, unless you have agreed this with your consultant psychiatrist or named nurse.
What if I feel worried or unsafe whilst on the ward?
The ward staff and our Trust are committed to providing a safe and pleasant environment for all people who use our service Please tell staff if you feel worried or unsafe at any time, or if you feel concerned about the safety of anyone else on the ward. If you prefer to talk to someone outside of the ward, we will advise you who you can speak to or you can contact any of the advocacy services (see separate explanation of this below). If you wish to make a complaint about safety on the ward, this will be carefully investigated and we will do all we can to maintain the safety of all concerned whilst the investigation is being conducted.
We aim to provide high standards of care and service and to treat you with dignity and respect and our staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We have a zero tolerance policy toward incidents of violence, abuse, bullying and harassment towards staff, patients, and any visitors to the ward. Any incidents of this kind will be treated seriously and appropriate action will be taken.
Will my spiritual, religious and cultural needs be addressed?
Your named nurse will ask you if you have any spiritual, religious and cultural needs, and together you can agree on how best we can meet these needs.
The following services are available:
An area for private prayer in the Bradgate Centre and in the main Glenfield Hospital
Information on local religious support
A high quality, confidential interpreting service
Books and written information in various languages
Healthcare chaplains are available to anyone who uses our service. Whatever your particular faith, the chaplain can arrange for you to receive suitable help and support. You can ask any member of staff to contact the chaplains or you can call them on 0116 295 7569.
What happens if there is a fire on the ward?
If the fire alarm sounds, patients are requested to go safely and quickly to the reception area in front of the nursing office and await instructions from the nurse in charge.
If patients are off the ward they are advised to take instruction from members of staff regarding their safe exit from the building.
What happens in an emergency?
Occasionally, staff working within the Bennion Centre may require assistance from colleagues in an emergency. Each ward has a responder who will attend to such emergencies. The responder on duty on each ward will carry a pager. If the pager sounds they will leave the ward quickly. Please do not be alarmed if you see a member of staff leaving Langley Ward in such a way.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is a way of representing people’s interests. Advocacy can empower you to express your personal views and needs (for example, by accompanying you to meetings or helping you to write letters) to ensure that you get your full rights and entitlements. Advocacy can also assist you to make informed choices by offering you the information you need.
Your named nurse can help you to choose an advocacy service if you feel you need or want one.
Your named nurse will also make sure that you receive details of any voluntary organisations that may be able to help or support you.
You can contact these services directly or we can help if you want us to.