Alnwood Alnwood provides medium secure inpatient assessment and treatment for young people up to 18 years who have complex mental health needs, including those with a learning disability. Extensively refurbished during 2012 with the involvement of service users, the 22-bedded mixed gender inpatient facility offers young people a calm and therapeutic environment in a medium secure forensic setting, together with an outpatient service. NHS England commissions Alnwood as part of the Secure Forensic Mental Health Service for Young People. It is one of a small number of centres nationally providing highly specialist multidisciplinary care for young people requiring treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983. Alnwood is part of, one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in the UK. As such the Trust uses its expertise across many specialist areas to support care pathways, allowing a full range of complex needs to be met. These extended services include drug and alcohol services, and specialist neurodevelopmental disorder services.
Alnwood provides the following therapeutic, educational, social and recreational activities: Therapeutic Creative therapies including music, drama and art Speech and language therapy Occupational therapy Family therapy Spiritual care Complex medication management Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CBT) delivered in group formats for clinical problems including: Drug and alcohol work Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) informed skills training Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CBT) delivered in group formats for forensic issues including: Prosocial problem solving skills training (The Ross R+R2 Programme) Violence reduction and anger management (eg. Violence is not the only choice) General offending Programmes (eg. Offending is not the only choice) Therapy for sexually harmful behaviour (The Rockwood Programme) Intensive individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a range of clinical and forensic problems including: Problems associated with complex neuro-developmental disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Psychosis Emerging personality difficulties Positive Behavioural Support
Educational Education based upon the National Curriculum and provided by Ofsted-rated Newcastle Bridges School Education tailored to individual needs and delivered in 'bespoke' learning packages Education timetable provides 25 taught sessions weekly as part of the structured day, providing up to 25 hours of education per patient per week depending on a range of factors including Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Interventions Broad and extensive range of accreditation from Unit Awards up to and including GCSE's Accredited vocational training courses English Maths Science Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Art and Textiles Food Technology Physical Education (indoor and outdoor) Design and Technology Horticulture Media Studies Health and Social Care Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) including Sexual Health Education Music Drama Registered Exam Centre
Social and recreational Sport and leisure activities including access to gym and fitness programmes Access to indoor and outdoor sport and recreational areas including football and racket sports Extensive range of visiting activities such as art, design and drama groups Access to dedicated actitivies team including exercise therapist For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Tel: 0191 246 6900 Fax: 0191 223 2235 Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Web:
Inpatient Units Alnwood provides medium secure inpatient assessment and treatment for young people up to 18 years with complex mental health needs, including those with a learning disability. All wards provide comprehensive specialist multidisciplinary care for young people requiring treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983. In addition, young people aged over 18 years who require ongoing care can be supported with appropriate transition into adult services. Alnwood consists of the following units: Ashby Nine bed unit providing assessment and treatment for young people aged 12-18 with: Complex mental health disorders A requirement for high level supervision in a medium secure environment
Wilton Six bed unit providing assessment and treatment for young people aged 12-18 with: Complex mental health disorders A requirement for high level supervision in a medium secure environment Lennox Seven bed unit providing assessment and treatment for young people aged 12-18 with: Complex, mild to moderate learning disability A requirement for high level supervision in a medium secure environment For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Tel: 0191 246 6900 Fax: 0191 223 2235 Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Web:
Facilities at Alnwood Young people have access to: Activity and recreation room Music room including mixing table and keyboard Educational Facilities IT Suite Interview room Meeting room Family visiting room Dining room Music room Activity and recreation room
Fitness Centre / Gym Fitness Centre and Gym Art room Workshop offering classes such as horticulture and woodwork Horticultural area Secure outdoor activities area Outdoor area
Lounge Games area Spacious lounge and sitting area with flexible provision for female only room Large individual bedrooms all ensuite Seclusion and de-escalation facilities on each ward Quiet area Quiet area Typical bedroom
Training and therapeutic kitchen Self catering facilities Additional facilities on the St. Nicholas hospital site include: St. Nicholas Cafe and Lounge area Patients Bank Hospital Shop For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Tel: 0191 246 6900 Fax: 0191 223 2235 Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Web:
Referral process All referrals will be considered by multi-disciplinary team and an assessment will take place prior to admission. Who can refer Referrals are accepted from specialist mental health teams regionally, nationally and internationally. Staff will advise on the most appropriate and effective way of meeting the young person's needs in Alnwood. Who to refer Young people aged up to 18 years Young people requiring medium secure inpatient forensic care Young people across the full spectrum of mental health and learning disabilities Formal patients Males and females
Referral Criteria Young people with forensic risk in need of assessment and treatment in a medium secure setting. How to refer Referrals are accepted in writing, by hard copy, fax or email. Informal enquiries are welcomed and advice can be given by telephone prior to referrals. For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Tel: 0191 246 6900 Fax: 0191 223 2235 Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Web:
Biographies of team members The team are highly skilled and experienced in the treatment of young people and is led by: Dr. Ruth Andrews, Consultant Clinical Psychologist BSc, Clin Psy D, AFBPsS, HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist Professional Lead for Children and Young People's Psychological Services Special interest in adapting therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of this specialist group, development and implementation of psychological skills with the Child and Adolescent Service and Children and Young People with learning disabilities who offend Dr. Gillian Bell, Consultant for Young People with a Learning Disability, BChB, DROG, MRCPsych Dual accreditation in Learning Disability and Forensic Psychiatry Specialist interest in the management of violence and aggression Chair of the Trust's Medicines Management Committee Dr. Tim Diggle, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, BSc, MSc, D.Clin. Psychol, PG Dip (CT), HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist Clinical Tutor and Honorary Teacher Newcastle University Chartered Clinical Psychologist Special interest in cognitive behavioural therapies for clinical and forensic difficulties
Tonia Forster, Nurse Consultant, RMN, MA Systemic Practice, DSTTS, Dip CAMH Registered Systemic Family Therapist and Systemic Supervisor Member of the Foundation on Family Therapy Course Team Special interest in solution focussed therapy and adapting approaches with young people and their families Dr. Parag Shah, Consultant Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist, MRCPsych, Diploma (MHL) Trainee Programme Director for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Northern Deanery Trust's College Tutor for CAMHS Special interest in psychosis and functional mental illness 11 years experience in Forensic CAMHS out-patient / In-Reach work and Medical Education Dr. César Lengua, Consultant Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist, MRCPsych; MA (Hum) Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Newcastle University National Clinical lead for the Secure Forensic Mental Health Service for Young People Visiting Psychiatrist for Aycliffe Secure Services, Kyloe House Secure Unit and Hassockfield Secure Training Centre Special interest in the development of quality standards and care pathways in adolescent forensic care
Team Profile The multidisciplinary team are highly skilled and experienced in the treatment of young people with complex mental health needs and have up to date training to ensure patients receive treatment tailored to their particular needs. The team offers a range of evidence-based treatment options and have clinical skills, expertise and training which include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Management of Violence and Aggression, Self Harm and Anti-social behaviour Occupational Therapy Extensive pharmacological expertise Positive Behavioural Support Family therapy Therapeutic group work Healthy living and eating Speech and language therapy Creative and psychodynamic therapies Safeguarding
The multidisciplinary team provides a wide range of intervention and therapy and includes: Psychiatrists Psychologists Nurses Occupational therapists Speech and language therapists Access to GP services Pharmacist Dietician Teachers Advocacy worker Social workers Chaplain Welcome team Support staff Activity and education co-ordinators Former patients' comments To all the nursing staff, thank you for all the help and support you have given me. On behalf of my client she would like to pass on her sincere thanks to the whole team for all the support she has been given. She feels the unit has assisted and supported her, given her skills she feels she would not have received anywhere else. Thank you to all the staff who nursed and looked after my son during his time on the ward. For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Tel: 0191 246 6900 Fax: 0191 223 2235 Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Web:
What our patients say... Amy's story * Amy received treatment and regular psychology sessions. Assessments also showed that Amy had learning and communication difficulties. Amy and her parents worked with psychologists to learn new skills to help them cope. With help from a social worker the family began to improve their relationships. Amy was a 15 year old girl who had experienced several traumas and had developed a severe psychotic illness which made her very frightened. Amy attended education sessions at Alnwood which improved her academic skills and allowed her to attain the GCSE s that she needed to go to college. Her relationship with her family had broken down and she was placed in a secure local authority childrens home. Amy was identified as having a mental illness and was transferred to Alnwood. Initially, Amy found being a long way from home very unsettling but with support from staff she began to trust and told nurses how she had experienced distressing symptoms for a very long time. By spending time at Alnwood, Amy has reconciled with her family and will return to their care when she is discharged. She will receive ongoing support from local services and will start a full-time college course in the autumn. The help and support Amy and her family have received from Alnwood have given her the confidence to return to the community as a happy young woman. *All names have been changed and library photos used to protect identity
Paul's story * Paul was a 16 year old boy who came to Alnwood via the courts for an assessment due to his aggressive and chaotic behaviour. Paul had a diagnosis of a moderate learning disability and at first found the move to Alnwood difficult, he struggled with the change in routine and also struggled with relationships. As part of Paul's assessment it was confirmed that he also had a diagnosis of Autism. Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists were able to work with Paul to enhance his understanding of the world around him. Staff were able to identify Paul s needs and then devise plans to meet them. After a while, Paul became much more settled because he knew what was happening in his environment, and the people in it became more predictable to him. Paul was able to join in with education sessions provided by the hospital school and this helped him to improve his reading, writing and maths. He also enjoyed the art lessons and this helped him improve his self-esteem. Staff worked with Paul to help him learn to develop his independence and he can now, with help, cook a simple meal and take care of his own clothes. The assessments that were made for the court meant Paul received the treatment and care he needed whilst staff helped provide a smooth transition for him. Paul now has a placement which is able to take care of him and he is looking forward to moving forward into adulthood. For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Tel: 0191 246 6900 Fax: 0191 223 2235 Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Web:
The Lodge The lodge is a two bed bungalow providing accommodation for family, friends and carers when their relative is receiving care from the Trust. The lodge is situated on the St. Nicholas Hospital site, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. It provides overnight accommodation for family and friends or carers and is available to book for one night only and includes the following facilities: Two bedrooms (sleeps three people) Bathroom Small lounge with TV and dining area Kitchen with microwave and tea/coffee making facilities Lounge / Sitting area Staff at Alnwood will be happy to assist with bookings. For more information on The Lodge, please visit /pic Kitchen
Service location Alnwood is located at St. Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. Staff will be happy you help plan journeys but the following offers guidance on how to get to Alnwood, St. Nicholas Hospital. Newcastle upon Tyne is a vibrant, cultural city with excellent transport links. The surrounding area of Northumberland has beautiful costal areas combined with the busy city centre makes Newcastle unique with a wealth of activities and fascinating areas to explore. By car Alnwood, St. Nicholas Hospital is easily accessible from both the A19 and A1 and located just off the A191. Car parking Car parking is available on site. Please note car parking is chargable. Satellite navigation Use postcode NE3 3XT when using a satellite navigation system. By bus The service is easily accessed by bus, a bus stop is located near to the entrance to St. Nicholas Hospital which is approximately a 5 minute walk. For more information and timetables see www.nexus.org.uk. By train Newcastle Central Station is located in the centre of Newcastle and easily accessed from London, Scotland and all other areas of the UK. Alnwood is a short taxi ride from the station, approximate cost 6.50. By metro The nearest Metro station is located at Regent Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne. It is approximately a 15 minute walk to St. Nicholas Hospital.
Dublin Belfast Edinburgh M8 Glasgow Holyhead Manchester Cardiff A74 Birmingham Liverpool M62 M6 M5 Bristol A1 A69 Carlisle A66 Leeds M6 Newcastle upon Tyne Hull Sheffield M1 York A1 A14 Harwich Plymouth M5 M4 London M2 Dover By air Newcastle s International Airport is just 25 minutes from Alnwood and is easily accessible by car or taxi. Direct flights are available in less than an hour from many parts of the UK. Go to www.newcastleairport.com for more information Accommodation A range of hotel accommodation is available nearby. Visit www.visitnorthumberland.com to contact the Northumberland Tourist Information Centre for more information For further information please contact: Alnwood St Nicholas Hospital Tel: 0191 246 6900 Jubilee Road Fax: 0191 223 2235 Gosforth Email: alnwood@ntw.nhs.uk Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT Web: