Annual report 2012-13 - West London Mental Health NHS Trust

START projectThrough our START recovery project, teamshave been changing the way they work to helpthem become more recovery focussed. (STARTstands for system transformation aroundrecovery team.)Aurora ward, The OrchardFollowing training in the recovery approach, staffon Aurora ward in our Orchard women’s unit,have made changes to their multi-disciplinaryteam meetings – with service users now moreactively involved in discussions and decisions.“This was a new concept for many, but thebenefits have been immense, says wardmanager Lillian Hove. “We really do nowfeel like one big team. It has been a trulyempowering exercise for all involved.”Dr Hayley Dare, consultant clinical psychologistfor the ward added: “The benefits of the newways of working are significant for staff and forservice users. For example, staff sickness hasdecreased, complaints are now rare, seclusionand incidents have reduced too.”Patients also talk about positive changes they’veseen on the ward: “We’ve enjoyed working withstaff to produce pamphlets to give to new serviceusers to make them feel welcome and so theyknow about the activities and groups on offer. Thesupport from staff on this ward is tremendous andreally does help us along the way.”“The benefits of thenew ways of workingare significant for staffand for service users.For example, staffsickness has decreased,complaints are now rare,seclusion and incidentshave reduced too.Dr Hayley Dare, consultantclinical psychologist““Staff have more confidenceto engage positively withpatients whilst encouragingand supporting them totake responsibility for theirown care. Both patients andstaff on Kingfisher wardhave become one team andwe’re all striving for thesame goal, recovery.Brightmore Mukutirwa,ward manager“Kingfisher ward, LakesideBrightmore Mukutirwa, ward manager onKingfisher ward in Lakeside Mental Health Unitis a START project champion and has led histeam through a period of significant change.Kingfisher, a 20-bed women’s recovery ward,was in need of an innovative way to engageservice users and support them to take controlof their own care. “That’s where the STARTproject came in,” said Brightmore. “It gave theteam fresh ideas, new ways of working andnew ways of thinking.”“Since starting this project, the benefits havebeen vast. The average length of patient stayhas reduced from two years to less than sixmonths. Staff have more confidence to engagepositively with patients whilst encouraging andsupporting them to take responsibility for theirown care. Both patients and staff on Kingfisherward have become one team and we’re allstriving for the same goal, recovery.”Woburn ward, Broadmoor Hospital“Being part of the START project hasempowered us to be more creative and ishelping us to be more recovery focussed in ourwork,” says Janice Dickson, ward manager onWoburn ward.“The response from the team to the project hasbeen great, we’ve all welcomed the additionalsupport which has included recovery workshopsfor patients and staff.“One noticeable difference is that patients arenow contributing much more to their own careplans and we’re talking to the patients earlierabout regional secure units, which shows thatwe’re more focussed on recovery than we mayhave been in the past. We’ve also invited patientsfurther along in the recovery journey in to talk toour patients to inspire hope and confidence.“It has been great to have some time out to reallythink through what we do and to think as a groupabout what improvements we should be makingfor patients to make sure their recovery is in thefore of our minds at all times.”“One noticeable differenceis that patients arenow contributing muchmore to their own careplans and we’re talkingto the patients earlierabout regional secureunits, which shows thatwe’re more focussed onrecovery than we mayhave been in the past.Janice Dickson, ward manager“10 Annual Report 2012/201311