Heatherwood Virtual Event Q&A Summary

Virtual Event Q&A

What is the treatment timeline at Heatherwood Court?

With a focus on psychologically-informed and trauma-informed care, the Model of Care at Heatherwood Court has moved away from the traditional medical model to ‘Every Step Matters’ - a holistic, psychosocial approach that incorporates collaborative working and co-production with patients. This approach has had a positive impact on the treatment and care we are able to provide, including reducing the average lengths of stay.

Our treatment timeline is dependent on each patient and their completion of their treatment pathway. As of 2023, the average length of stay at Heatherwood Court is between 18 – 24 months – however, in some cases this timeline is significantly reduced to under 12 months, with some patients completing their treatment pathway in as little as 4 months.

How does Heatherwood Court minimise the use of restraints?

1. In-house training Extensive training is completed by the staff at Heatherwood Court that focuses on preventative measures to minimise restraint. Staff members are supported and empowered to deliver holistic, patient-centred care, and ensure that prescribed care is followed. Our in-house training covers a variety of topics, including: Safety Support Plans, including the use of SSPs to manage primary and secondary interventions Safeguarding, including identifying actions and behaviours that may lead to escalated behaviour and incidents Personality Disorder training Establishing and maintaining professional boundaries Suicide and self-harm prevention Security, with a focus on appropriateness, continuity, and consistency of all actions

2. Positive Practice Workers present on each ward Each ward at Heatherwood Court has a Positive Practice Worker who is responsible for ensuring that each patient’s Safety Support Plan is embedded in their care. The Positive Practice Workers also support patients directly and ensure that there is consistency across all wards and shifts in both their prescribed and psychologically-informed care.

To discuss a referral, please get in touch with the Referrals Team on 03300 567888, or email referrals@iriscaregroup.co.uk

Virtual Event Q&A

3. Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy Staff at Heatherwood Court are required to follow the Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy, and Restrictive Practice Reviews are regularly conducted inline with local governance. This is to ensure that reviews of restraints and triggers are appropriate, and that this process is monitored by an external professional that will highlight any further necessary adjustments to each patient’s prescribed care, Safety Support Plan, and Care plan.

Iris Care Group is a member of the Restraint Reduction Network and a signatory to their restraint reduction guidelines, which are followed in all of our services, including Heatherwood Court.

4. Ward Groups, Case Reflection Groups, and Reflective Practice The team regularly host Ward Groups and patient forums with the goal of building positive relationships between patients and staff, creating an open dialogue rooted in mutual trust and respect. These groups also involve developing skills to aid in treatment and recovery, including topics such as building connections, moving forward with your care pathway, and staying safe. Staff at Heatherwood Court also meet regularly to share learnings and identify areas where improvements can be made, actively and continuously supporting each other to provide greater support for patients.

5. Weekly discussions and review Prescribed care is discussed weekly with patients and their assigned primary care contact. Patients are encouraged to engage with these weekly sessions, empowering them to have greater control and involvement in their treatment and care pathway.

Each patient also has an individual planner to support them to maintain structure and routine throughout their treatment.

These planners include information about their daily routine, medication schedule, therapeutic sessions and activities, and social and leisure groups.

Why Heatherwood Court?

Heatherwood Court has been operating since 2008 and is part of Iris Care Group, which offers a wide range of step-down options for patients in services across Wales and England, ensuring continuity of care and a clear and consistent care pathway.

Our extensive and experienced multidisciplinary team covers a wide range of disciplines, including Psychology, Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, and Education, with additional support and care provided by Registered Nurses and an onsite GP. Each patient’s core MDT includes Psychiatrists, a Nurse Consultant and Approved Clinician, SAS Doctor, Clinical and/or Forensic Psychologist, and General, Mental Health, and Learning Disability Nurses. Patients are also able to access support from the Occupational Therapy and Education teams, as well as Speech and Language Therapy and visiting Social Workers.

At Heatherwood Court we are committed to involving patients at every opportunity, and strive to ensure that the patient is at the heart of every decision that is made about their treatment and care. Our team appreciate the importance of coproduction and encourage patients to provide feedback and have their voice heard in a wide range of settings, including the People’s Council, Clinical Governance meetings, and in staff training.

Our facilities are designed to support a wide range of activities for patients including our HUB, which offers life and education skills classrooms, a fully-functioning gym, pool room, cinema room, café, art room, sensory room, IT suite, multifaith room and OT kitchen.