National Award for new activity piloted at The Huntercombe Hospital in Roehampton

The Huntercombe Hospital in Roehampton has won an 'achiever' award for comprehensively implementing a new pilot project. The hospital was the first independent provider of adult mental health services to become a pilot site for the "Star Wards" programme. Professor Louise Appleby, Director of Mental Health at the NHS presented the hospital with the award at a momentum meeting in Stafford recently.

Star Wards is a core programme of 75 activities, ranging from the fun to the functional, designed to help animate acute mental health wards, and to improve patients' quality of time and treatment outcomes by encouraging engagement. It was developed by a former service user, following her experience of being an inpatient in a London hospital where there was little in the way of activity or entertainment provided for patients.

The pilot took place on Huntercombe Roehampton's Richmond ward, which cares for female patients with mental disorder, challenging behaviour and other complex needs, before being rolled out to other wards within the hospital.

A survey of staff and patients in April this year generated data demonstrating that all the relevant ideas are now being achieved within the hospital. For example: a video library has been set up for use across the wards for patients and visitors and a seven day programme of activities has been implemented, ensuring access to activities throughout the day and evening. The programme includes board games, dance and movement, walking groups and flexible visiting hours for relatives and friends. A system, which avoids patients queuing for their medication, has also been introduced. Therapeutic horse riding and massage have also been introduced as part of the initiative.

The on-ward and off-ward programmes are geared towards therapeutic engagement and are supported by a substantial therapy department. Other activities include: cookery, gardening, healthy eating and exercise sessions, in a fully equipped gymnasium, and computer sessions.

Marion Janner, author of Star Wards said: "The Huntercombe Hospital in Roehampton is a fabulous example of a hospital that really listens to
what its patients need to help them achieve sustainable recoveries.
We're delighted that the hospital took part in Star Wards and the level of its work clearly warrants the 'achiever award', congratulations".

Date Posted: 02 Aug 2007 07:21

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