"Rowan 1 could be better"

Hello and many thanks for your comments.

I agree- Rowan 1 could be better!

We are always striving for excellent standards and learn a great deal from any feedback we receive.

The main area we are trying to attempt an improvement on is activities on the ward. We are in the process of agreeing a Team Implementation and Recovery Plan that will include Medics, Nursing staff, Occupational Therapists, Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Pharmacists and the opinion/input of Patient and Carers, which will be vital in the developemnt of the ward.

Included in this intitiative is the implementation of activities on the ward. I can appreciate that time can drag on a hospital ward and cannot see how this would help anyone to recover.

As a result, we are looking ot emply an activity co-ordinator in the new year that will link with all staff on the ward and Occupational Therapy Services to promote activities on via the principles of Recovery.

As a Ward Manager it is my responsibility to provide patients with the opportunity to recover. As such, we will look to provided more resources to enable therapeutic activity, which include: a garden project (scheduled for the spring), Rowan Rovers football tournaments, Sporting clubs and gym participation (based at The Maples Unit), Contemporary literature (reference books re: Recovery and books based on popular culture), further access to the Trust Recovery College at Duncan Macmillan House, quizzes, a new Xbox console with a kinect sensor + games and new Blu Ray/DVD titles to compliment Cinema Sunday based at the Maples Unit, broadcast on the Projection Screen with Cinema snacks donated. We will also be looking to include more trips from the ward to supplement the monthly trips to Nottingham Panthers games and the recent trip to the Dovedale nature reserve, with a new trip co-ordinator link being recently appointed.

I am pleased that the morning meeting initiative has been well received- we beleive this gives patients an opportunity to be included in their care and have needs met on a timely basis.

I will also be attending patient meetings, every other Weds with the Carers Council, which will give me a personal perspective on what needs to be achieved on the ward from the viewpoint of persons using our services. Ultimely I would like to build confidence in individuals and ask patients to chair these meetings also.

We actively encourage bidding for properties with staff and other opportunities e.g. employment with the assistance of staff members to ensure that your length of stay on the ward is kept to a minum in order for you to return to your home environment in a timely manner. This comes as a surprise to me that this has not been facilitated in your opinion and I would be grateful if you could take the time to discuss this further.

Unfortunately, I cannot discuss the amount of time you are reviewed by Doctors on the ward as this would be within the remit of the Medical Directorate, but do agree that 1:1 time could be utilised more regularly within the entire MDT and hope that the above information will go a long way towards remedying this.