View/Open - ARAN - National University of Ireland, Galway

223
Chapter 5 Findings
Day one and day two of observation felt very different in atmosphere and the
following reflection excerpts describe the observed atmosphere. It was quite
different across both days and across different observation periods:
“The day room is warm and cosy. So all of the activity is centred
around the day room now and the rest of the unit is very quiet. The
mood changes as you walk down the corridor to one of quietness.”
(Obs - Day 1)
“Breakfasts arrive out at 08.30hrs and there is a lot of hustle and
bustle……. Loud hoover being used and phone rings intermittently
with a loud shrill ring tone…. First staff breakfast break starts at
9am. Some staff from each section go. Second break at 9.30am.
Staff usually go to the staff room on the unit for their break. The
hustle and bustle is less obvious now but the staff that are still on
the wards are still involved in personal care…. The unit is quiet at
this time and feels quite sedentary. The curtains are closed in most
of the wards and just one or two residents are pottering about…. the
day has seen many different levels of activity from busyness this
morning to music fun in the afternoon to total wind down this
evening.”
(Obs - Day 2)
It was suggested that the staff on duty contributed to the ward
atmosphere.
“It’s an awful thing to say but some people come on and you can
see by their faces you’re going to have a tough day with them.”
(S02)
Despite this, family and staff participants felt that the general approach to the
care provision was in a spirit of teamwork:
“They all have a leg in and a hand in they are all participating
somewhere or other.”
(F01) (Barthel 8)
“It’s always been quite good at team work.”
(S14)
“Well, there’s a nice bunch of staff here and that probably adds to
the good side of it.”
(H03)