The Lodges is declared open A new unit designed to support patients preparing to move on from Wathwood Hospital has been officially opened.
Above: The Lodges – l-r Mike Cooke, Steve Ball and Dr Eric Mendelson, Clinical Director at the Hospital. Right: The Lodges’ name plaque was designed and created by patients at the Hospital
The Lodges provides a step-down facility for patients moving from the rehabilitation wards in the Hospital towards discharge. It gives patients the opportunity to continue their recovery in a more independent environment whilst still benefiting from the support network offered at the Hospital. The building offers flexible accommodation over two storeys incorporating communal areas, ensuite bedrooms and shared kitchen areas. Patients past and present, staff and invited guests from the Trust and partner organisations packed into the building to hear the story of The Lodges and how it fits into the care pathway at the Hospital. This was presented in a special film featuring patients’ perspectives of Wathwood and the way in which they are supported in their recovery journeys.
Intensive Care Unit The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Wathwood has had a number of improvements made recently. The three bedded facility delivers care and treatment to patients assessed to be at highest risk. This care environment with a low stimulus facility and two
The group are shown the bench in the garden area
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spacious, en-suite seclusion rooms has a high nursing staff ratio to provide intensive therapeutic care. The changes to the Unit were also highlighted at The Lodges’ opening and a small group visited the ICU where Lisa Sutton, Ward Manager explained more about the specialist facility and care provided. The group was also shown round the garden area which features a bench and other artwork created by patients. The garden also now has it’s own fruit trees which were given to the ICU as a gift from Mike Cooke to commemorate the efforts made by everyone to enhance the care environment.
Steve Ball, General Manager (left) and Dr Eric Mendelson (right), Clinical Director show Trust Chair Professor Dean Fathers around the Unit