Information for inpatients

• Your own clothes, including non-slip slippers and shoes to be worn inside the ward.
• Electrical equipment such as hairdryers, laptops. These will have to be checked for safety by an electrician prior to use on the ward.
• Items to personalise your room.
• Current medications that should be handed in on admission to be dispensed by nursing staff.
• You can bring your own mobile phone, however we ask you not to use mobile phones at mealtimes or during the group program. Please be considerate to others when making or receiving phone calls. We ask you also not to take photos or videos on your mobile phone whilst on the ward.
• You may wish to bring a small amount of money. Anything valuable is your own responsibility and brought at your own risk. You will be provided with a lockable safe in your room.
• If you bring your personal Laptop and devices however, you are responsible for ensuring it has adequate up to date antivirus software installed. Wi-Fi is provided for access to the internet.
• Fire resistant duvet, blanket and pillow. These can also be provided by the ward
• Single duvet and pillow cover

• Scissors, razor blades, needles or anything sharp.
• Weighing scales.
• Food, sweets or drinks. These will be given to relatives or friends at the next visit or thrown away if opened.
• Cars or bikes.
• We ask that you do not bring valuables on to the ward and keep just a minimum of cash on your person. You should ask relatives or friends to take valuables home.
• We ask that you do not bring exercise tracking devices, such as FitBits or activity tracker watches. These are not permitted on the ward and can be unhelpful as part of your recovery. You will be required to hand these to staff, or asked to pass to a relative or friend to take home.
• Blue Tack, adhesive gum or putty.

• There is a TV, video and DVD player in the large, spacious lounge area. This facility can be used during reasonable hours.

• There are plenty of books, CDs, DVDs, games and jigsaw puzzles.

• When patients are physically more stable, there is a garden that can be used.

• We provide towels and bedding and you will be encouraged to make your own bed and change the sheets every week.

• We have washing facilities with tumble drier and clothes horse. Washing powder is provided.

• We have a fully equipped kitchen. All meals and snacks are provided

• We have a ward garden so please bring seasonal outdoor attire

• We have a range of sensory equipment available

• Items required for groupwork are provided

Each patient is given a meal plan on admission that is discussed with the dietitian and primary nurse. This plan is regularly reviewed. Patients eat together at set meal and snack times. As patients gain the ability to eat independently and safely, they will sit unsupported.

After each meal and snack patients have post-meal supervision and support in the sitting room. Time is allowed to digest the food eaten and to rest. After this patients are free to go to their rooms.

Ward round

Each patient is reviewed every month by the ward team headed by a consultant psychiatrist. Usually those attending the meeting are a consultant psychiatrist, the Senior House Officer, the dietitian, the primary nurse and/or the nurse in charge of the shift, and anyone else involved in the care of the patient, (ie, psychologist, occupational therapist).

Bloods

Bloods are taken to determine any physical problems associated with the eating disorder and low weight. Frequency will be determined by the ward consultant or resident doctor.

Weighing

This happens twice a week. It is optional whether or not you see your weight. Weight is measured in kilogrammes and is converted to BMI (Body Mass Index). This is used along with weight history to determine a goal weight.

Dietitian

Patients will start on a standard meal plan one, and progress to the second and third and so on in discussion with the dietitian and the team. Typically graded dietary increases are at weekly intervals. As the patient progresses with gradual and safe weight gain, a diet plan will be developed to suit their own individual energy requirements.

Exercise

Exercise is restricted at the beginning. It will gradually increase in accordance with weight gain with the aim of a balance between healthy dietary intake and appropriate levels of exercise.

Home leave

Home leave is a particularly important part of treatment as this gives the individual the opportunity to put into practice the skills learnt on the ward, and to highlight any specific difficulties. This will happen when physical health is improved.

During treatment each patient is gradually given back responsibility for his or her nutrition, and for living their lives with the aim of being able to manage once they are discharged.

Throughout each stage of your stay, there is continuous assessment of individual needs. Following discharge from the ward, patients who live locally are supported by our community service. A community therapist will be allocated and appropriate therapeutic input will be agreed upon.

A planning meeting is held to evaluate the aftercare resources available and to ensure that these are in place.

Before final discharge, the ward will liaise with those who are to be involved in the patient's aftercare, and will provide information and a summary report of the admission.