Heathfield House
Heathfield House at a glance: 19 beds and 3 self-contained studio flats 18-65 For men aged 18 to 65 years Provides intensive mental health rehabilitation and recovery in a community-based step-down environment for men who have a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder, and who have been difficult to engage in the past 2 yr There is a good variety of activities available and more than enough things to do Two year care pathway Staffed by a multi-disciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and occupational therapists 50 per cent of service users have been stepped down from secure units 90% More than 70 per cent of service users have been successfully discharged to community placements and 20 per cent to independent living
About Heathfield House Heathfield House is a mental health recovery and rehabilitation unit that opened in 2006 and offers 19 beds and three self-contained two studio flats. It is based in a residential area of Stockport. The unit provides intensive mental health rehabilitation and recovery in a communitybased step-down environment. It is for men aged 18 to 65 years, who have a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder, and who have been difficult to engage in the past. The unit offers a two year pathway and service users are discharged into appropriate community-based supported accommodation or independent living. Supporting recovery The unit aims to provide intensive mental health rehabilitation and recovery through the development of individual plans. These focus on re-learning or developing a range of skills to enable service users to reach their full potential. The team supports delivery of these plans through a range of interventions including: Pharmacological treatment (medication) Psycho-social interventions including: Relapse prevention and wellbeing Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Cognitive Analytic Therapy Mindfulness Brief Family Therapy Drug and alcohol work Neuropsychological screening Pet and animal therapy Interventions to improve day-to-day living skills including: Domestic skills Self-care and hygiene Financial management Road and personal safety Group activities including: Art therapy Music Wellbeing Physical activity Healthy lifestyles As part of their rehabilitation, service users are also encouraged to get involved in community activities based on their interests or needs. They are provided with a level of security that is appropriate to their needs and that is as unrestrictive as possible, while also ensuring their own and other people s safety. Activities could include: Vocational or educational training Training for paid employment Voluntary work Sports and leisure activities Cultural or spiritual activities Creative activities One particularly successful community-based activity offered is the Backdoor Music Project, which was highly commended in the Excellence in Public Participation Provider Award. This enables service users to develop their singing, dancing, music and theatre talents and share these in a performance held at a local theatre. During their stay, service users are also encouraged and supported to pursue individual hobbies, for example fishing. They also have plenty of free time, in which they can simply relax. Family and friend involvement and support: Family and friends play a valuable role in service users recovery and are welcome on the unit, where this is beneficial for the services user and the family. Family and friends can often provide a valuable insight into the best ways to support recovery and may be invited to attend meetings and/or appointments with team members. These meetings are also a good opportunity to hear about the support family and friends themselves may need, which can be provided by the team. For example, family interventions can be provided by the team psychologist, which can facilitate difficult conversations and help to overcome relationship difficulties. The environment Each service user has their own bedroom. They are encouraged to bring along personal items to help them to feel at home, for example duvet and pillow covers, photos and books (please note that some items are not permitted on the unit to ensure service users health and safety. Staff can advise about this prior to admission). They have access to a range of communal areas, such as lounges, dining area, games room, kitchen and garden, which provide opportunities for social interaction and peer support. There are three self-contained studio flats available which offer a bedroom and bathroom, along with a private lounge area and kitchen facilities. The flats help provide service users with an independent living option, with the benefits of 24 hour clinical support, an innovative care pathway and close supervision. All areas of the unit are kept clean, tidy, safe and comfortable and the team welcomes any feedback on the environment.
The unit received a 100,000 investment which was used to refurbish the bathroom facilities, including high specification showers, baths and toilets. Improvements have been made to the reception area, front garden and general landscape and to service user areas across the unit, including refurbished ceilings, flooring and furniture. The team The unit is staffed by an experienced, knowledgeable and skilled multi-disciplinary clinical team and range of support staff, who provide round-the-clock care. The team includes: Consultant Psychiatrists Psychologists Clinical Nurse Manager Charge Nurses Registered Mental Health Nurses Nursing Assistants Occupational Therapists Technical Instructor Medical Secretaries Unit Manager Ward Administrator To support service users wider health and wellbeing needs, the team works with a range of partners including GPs, community health professionals and others. Staff training and education: All staff are required to undertake a package of mandatory training before starting employment. Topics include adult safeguarding, conflict resolution, managing challenging behaviour, violence and aggression, movement and handling, equality and diversity and infection prevention and control. There is a requirement that all training is refreshed at regular intervals. In addition to mandatory training, all members of staff are actively encouraged undertake further training that will be helpful to their role. For example, some staff have successfully achieved a master s degree in mental health Each member of the team receives clinical supervision and/or line management support. These provide opportunities to review and discuss strengths, concerns and areas for development and allow team members to be kept up to date with service developments and best practice guidelines. This ensures they can deliver the best possible care to service users. Outcomes and feedback Since its launch in 2006, over 70 per cent of service users have been supported to be discharged into appropriate community-based accommodation and 20 per cent have achieved discharge to an independent living arrangement. Feedback about the unit is positive and comments include: Staff make the time to speak with you. The staff are brilliant. There is a good variety of activities available and more than enough things to do. Evidence of care plans being regularly reviewed and updated is exemplary.
Referral information The unit can accept referrals for men aged 18 to 65 years, who have a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder, and who have been difficult to engage in the past. The majority of service users live within the Pennine Care footprint, which includes Bury, Oldham, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop and Trafford. However, admissions are accepted from outside the area, where appropriate. Referrals are invited for service users who are being cared for on an acute ward or in a secure environment and who would benefit from non-secure rehabilitation or a support environment. Before the referral is made it is important that the multi-disciplinary team has discussed and agreed the referral with the service user. Once agreed, any member of the multi-disciplinary team can make the referral. To discuss a referral please contact the Pathways Team on 0161 716 4354.
In my own words a service user s journey I was 19 when I became unwell due to work stress, taking un-prescribed medication to cope and drinking heavily. Three years earlier I had also experienced a head trauma resulting from a fall. My family called an ambulance after I began to experience fixations at home and I was taken to hospital. I was admitted to an inpatient unit for six months before being stepped down to Heathfield House. My individual package of care includes support to manage my medication, which stabilises my mood, psychological tests and physical healthcare. I enjoy the many activities that are offered on the unit, such as cooking, baking and snooker. I also enjoy being able to simply relax and watch TV or DVDs. I particularly value the freedom that Heathfield offers, as I am a keen fisherman and walker. I take full advantage of the trips that are offered, such as to Blackpool and football matches. I would like to reassure new patients that Heathfield is a good place to be. Although I felt sad when I was first admitted, I got used to my new environment very quickly. I now feel happy and positive about the future. I have made many friends both other service users and staff and this has benefitted my recovery. During my two years at Heathfield, my condition has vastly improved. I feel really well and fully recovered and the care and support has made a real impact on my life. The staff are great. I now have much more confidence and enthusiasm and undertake voluntary work twice a week in a kitchen. I have combined my enjoyment of baking with my desire to get back into employment and have achieved a certificate in food hygiene. I m keen to build on this success with the ultimate aim of working in a big restaurant. I would like to reassure new patients that Heathfield is a good place to be. Although I felt sad when I was first admitted, I got used to my new environment very quickly. I now feel happy and positive about the future.
Contact us For further information about Heathfield House, please phone 0161 716 4300. Heathfield House, Cale Green, Stockport, SK2 6RA. Date of publication: September 2015 Reference: 4001/Heathfield House Brochure Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust