FEWER PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SENT TO THE MAINLAND THANKS TO IMPROVEMENTS

Fewer people with mental health issues and dementia are being sent off the Isle of Wight, after changes at St Mary’s Hospital. The specialist Shackleton ward closed 5 years ago over care and staffing concerns. Since then, Island patients with specific needs have been sent to specialist beds on the mainland, away from their families. Now, Afton Ward, an inpatient unit, has been rearranged with 2 fewer beds but more staff and an enhanced care team, to mostly avoid the need for mainland beds. Although some specialist cases may still need mainland care. The pilot has had positive feedback according to Dr Lesley Stephens, Isle of Wight NHS’s mental health director, who recently spoke at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s policy and scrutiny committee for health and social care. She said a ‘very negative experience’ had been minimised and said the dementia outreach team is an ‘incredible success story’, significantly reducing the length of stay for those patients who do need to be admitted. The demand for mental health dementia beds has also been minimised. Dr Stephens said it has become increasingly challenging to find the necessary beds on the mainland, due to pressures in the care system. She said:

“Staff on the ward have received dementia training and the working relationship with the outreach team has been really strong and positive. “They have been able to continue to be safe through the pilot, despite the challenges that come with mental health and dementia care.”

Article continues below this advertisement