"Thank you so much to all the staff at Herm Ward!"

Mum stayed in Herm Ward for over three months while they sorted out her medication. She is now calmer and more contented.

During her stay, Dad visited her almost every day and other family members made quite a few visits too. We cannot praise the staff at Herm Ward too highly. They are very special people, doing very demanding jobs to an amazingly high standard.

Herm Ward has a warm, friendly atmosphere.

This is largely due to the excellent team who work there. Every member of staff we came across was kind, caring and professional. The staff really seem to enjoy interacting with the patients, chatting and laughing with them, watching television with them, singing with them, walking with them etc etc etc. We never heard a cross or impatient word.

Any help required with physical needs was given efficiently and promptly. Staff reacted very quickly when necessary. Patients are treated with dignity and respect, offering them choices and respecting their wishes. The staff acted as a great team to ensure that day to day operation ran smoothly, liaising with each other to check that everything was fully covered at all times.

Herm Ward is clean, tidy and smells nice! Mum was always well groomed and sometimes even had painted nails! When we were around at meal times, there was a choice of appetising food.

Staff made an effort to ask who wanted to sit where, what each patient would like to eat and generally make meal times an enjoyable experience. Morning and afternoon teas, coffees and snacks were served with similar care and consideration. My elderly father was also made very welcome during his frequent visits and was offered lots of cups of tea and coffee too!

Patients are offered the opportunity to be involved in lots of different activities, including word games, art and crafts, singing and exercise. Different sessions run on different days.

Staff, from the consultant downward, were prepared to spend time letting us know how things were going. It was made possible for my sister to be in phone contact during a ward round so that she could have immediate feedback and the opportunity to ask questions. The consultant was compassionate and caring – an attitude that was reflected in all the ward staff.

As Mum moves to a care home, we are hoping very much that she will have equally caring and professional staff looking after her.

Thank you again from all of us - Herm Ward staff you are a great team!