Tatton unit - family and carer information

We are part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which is a large provider of mental health, learning disability, and autism services to people across Greater Manchester and beyond.

The rehabilitation and high support services provide a range of low secure and step-down mental health services, along with psychiatric intensive care.

Our services work with people whose needs can’t be met by mainstream adult mental health services. We aim to help people reach their full potential in a place of safety, while enhancing their life skills and their ability to cope in the community.

We have also worked with patients to make two videos which tell you a bit more about what we do. You can watch these at: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/rhs

Tatton Unit is a 16-bed long term low secure hospital which provides treatment and care for men aged 18 to 65.

 Low secure services are provided for patients with long-term and complex mental health needs, who cannot be safely or successfully cared for in less secure inpatient environments. Our patients are usually detained under the Mental Health Act.

The model of care and treatment focuses on risk management, engagement and rehabilitation within a safe and secure environment. Our patients are usually admitted from another low secure or medium secure unit. They may be transferring back into their local area, stepping down in security or embracing an opportunity to work with a new care team.

We develop a care pathway which is individual to each patient. This enables them to progress at a speed suitable to their needs and ability to engage with rehabilitation programmes.

The aim of the care pathway is to build patients’ confidence and help them to learn skills to cope, in the least restrictive environment possible. The focus is on integrating them back into their local communities and re-establishing social networks.

We do this through a wide range of treatments and therapeutic interventions, you can find more information below. With your loved one’s permission, we can discuss with you the treatments and interventions identified for his recovery.

Everyone has their own en-suite bathroom and bedroom, which comes equipped with a TV point, built in writing desks and secure storage facilities. Everyone has a key for their bedroom to support independence and to respect privacy.

People are encouraged to bring along personal items to help them to feel at home, for example duvet and pillow covers, photos, posters, televisions, electronic games and stereos.

Some items are not permitted on the unit for health and safety reasons and staff can advise about this.

There is also access to a range of spacious communal areas, such as lounges, dining areas, kitchens, and large internal, open-air courtyards and garden areas. These provide opportunities for relaxation, socialising and peer support.

When you speak to our team, you may wish to make a note of the following key names and contact numbers:

• Responsible clinician:
• Medical secretary:
• Ward manager:
• Unit administrator:
• Charge nurse:
• Named nurse:
• Occupational therapist:
• Clinical psychologist:
• Social worker:
• Advocate:
• Other:

Some of our staff also work across other sites, but they can always be reached via the unit administrator.

By car

If you are using a SatNav or route planner, please use the postcode OL6 9RW. This will bring you to the hospital entrance on Fountain Street, near the A&E department (see red box on map), then you can follow the road around to the Buckton Building (which Tatton Unit is in).

Alternatively, if you enter via the Darnton Road entrance (near Stamford Park Boating Lake), Buckton Building is on your right at the top of the hill.

Coming from the M62

Follow M62 and M60 to Manchester Road (A635) in Ashton-under-Lyne. At junction 12 use the left two lanes to merge onto M60 towards Leeds /Bolton/Ring Road.

At junction 18 use the left lanes to merge onto M67 and at Simister Island take the third exit onto M60 slip road.

At Junction 23 exit onto Manchester road (A635). Then follow the signs for Tameside General Hospital.

Car parking

Pay and display car parking is available at Tameside General Hospital, although this can be very busy during the week. The price varies from £1.50 for three hours up to £4 depending where you park on site, so please ensure you have change if you are driving.

By train

There are two train stations within three miles of Tatton Unit: Ashton and Stalybridge. Stalybridge train station is approximately 15-minute walking distance away.

By bus

The 350 from Ashton bus station will drop you off outside the hospital, where you can walk through to the Buckton Building.

By taxi

There are taxis available from outside local train stations and from Ashton or Stalybridge town centre.

If you require a local taxi number please contact the ward and they will provide you with one.

We recognise that contact with your relative or friend is important and there are a number of ways to keep in touch.

Letter

Write the patients name and ‘Tatton Unit / Buckton Building’ on the envelope and send it to: Tameside General Hospital. Tatton Unit, Buckton Building, Fountain Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne. OL6 9RW.

If your letter is going to contain upsetting information it would be helpful to contact your relative or friends care team so that they can support them to deal with this appropriately.

Parcels

All incoming parcels will be opened with the patient for safety and security.

E-mail

All patients have access to ward laptops and guest WIFI so they can be supported to keep in touch with you by e-mail should you wish.

Phone

You can contact your loved one via the nurses’ office on the unit or they can use the unit payphones.

Most patients will also have access to their mobile phones during the day to give them privacy and dignity when making calls.

If your phone call is going to contain upsetting information it would be helpful to contact your relative or friend’s care team first so that they can support them to deal with this appropriately.

Virtual contact

We have facilities for you to contact your loved one by virtual methods such as video calls and other social media methods. If you would like to do this, please let us know and we can help to arrange.

Our team encourages visits from those who matter most. Contact between patients and their loved ones is crucial to their recovery, identity and connection with the outside world.

We aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all. A family room is available if you would like to visit your loved one.

Please contact the ward to book a visit. If possible, please give 24 hours’ notice to ensure the room is available and staff can support the visit; as it is secure unit, all visits are supervised.

Please be aware that we will not be able to accommodate unplanned visits and we allow a maximum of three visitors at any one time.

The unit also operates a protected mealtime service from 12 noon to 1pm and 5pm to 6pm. This enables patients to eat their meals with less distraction and creates a more relaxed atmosphere. We ask that you don’t arrange visits during these times, but we will be as flexible as possible outside of them.

Child visits

Children under the age of 18 are welcome to visit but these visits need to be prearranged and they must be always accompanied by an appropriate adult. For safety, your loved one’s care team will also need to complete a brief assessment beforehand. We will need to ask for some specific details about any children visiting and we hope you will not find this too intrusive.

Christmas visits

You are welcome to visit on Christmas Day but please ensure you book your visit in advance.

What to expect when you visit

The secure nature of the unit means we have procedures and policies in place to ensure the safety of patients, staff and the general public. We have security staff who may ask you to provide photographic ID to verify your identity.

We also use keys, personal alarms and the entrance to the unit has an airlock (a space where one door must close before the next door can open). Visitors will be asked to make use of the lockers in the air lock for the safe keeping of personal items (you will hold the locker key).

Staff will support you during your visit and will also supervise throughout. Please note that illegal activity will not be permitted and may result in the police being informed and suspension from the site.

You are welcome to bring gifts or other essential items for your relative or friend when you visit. Please speak to a senior member of the team to agree this beforehand as items will need to be checked by our security team. They will also be held in the security office until the visit has concluded.

For safety reasons some items are restricted, please ask staff for a full list of restricted and prohibited items. It is worth noting that the unit has limited storage space when considering bring items in for your loved one.

Monetary gifts

You may leave money for your friend or relative, but please inform a member of staff. For their safety, the money will be held in your loved one’s hospital finance account until they are ready to spend it.

The Hospital Restaurant: This is open to staff, patients and visitors and offers a full range of hot and cold meals, snacks, beverages and sandwiches.

Opening times are Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 7pm.

League of Friends snack bars: There are three of these across the hospital. Opening times are generally limited to weekday mornings.

Costa: This is open during the daytime from Monday to Saturday

Hospital newsagent and shop: Open 7am to 7.30pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday. (There is also a cash point outside Amigo’s).

Stamford Park: This is just outside of the hospital and has a café, duck pond, bowling greens and an animal enclosure. There is also a large boating lake with walking trails close by.

Within half of a mile of the Tatton Unit there are local shops, bakeries, takeaways and barbers or hairdressers.

Ashton-under-Lyne is just over one mile away from the hospital. This may be accessed by the 350 bus (hospital to bus station). This has all the facilities that may be expected of a moderately sized town, such as shops, sports centres, colleges, restaurants, etc.

Slightly further afield is the Ashton Moss, which has numerous activity and restaurant opportunities such as: Cinema, ten-pin bowling, Nandos, Bella Italia and Chiquitos.

If your friend or relative is able to spend time off the hospital site with you, our staff can advise you on other things you may be able to do.

We support patients to develop a weekly timetable with activities they find enjoyable and meaningful. We can help people to develop new skills, understand their risks and gain control of their mental health difficulties.

We encourage patients to take part in group activities, and to come to the weekly community meeting to discuss current issues about the running of the ward and delivery of care.

Interventions

Our team supports delivery of these plans through a range of interventions.

These include:

• Pharmacological treatment (medication)
• Comprehensive risk assessments
• Psychological therapies, such as:
  • Psycho education
  • Cognitive behaviour therapy
  • Cognitive analytic therapy
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Brief family interventions
  • Drug and alcohol work
  • Neuropsychological screening
• Interventions to improve day-to-day living skills:
  • Money management
  • Shopping
  • Cooking
  • Self-care and hygiene
  • Washing and ironing
  • Using public transport
  • Road and personal safety
• Group activities:
  • Social skills
  • IT skills
  • Music
  • Arts and crafts
  • Relapse prevention and wellbeing
  • Physical activity and sports
  • Healthy lifestyles

Patients are also encouraged to get involved in a range of activities in the community as part of their rehabilitation. These may be carried out independently or with an escort, depending on needs and requirements.

This could include:

• Vocational or educational training
• Health and Wellbeing College courses
• Training for paid employment
• Voluntary work placements
• Sport and leisure activities
• Cultural or spiritual activities
• Support groups.

We have a well-established and consistent team of staff which provides continuity of care, improves staff and patient relationships and benefits recovery.

This experienced and knowledgeable team provides around the clock care and is made up of:

• A consultant psychiatrist

• A clinical psychologist
• Staff grade and speciality doctors
• A medical secretary
• Registered nurses
• Social workers
• Occupational therapists
• Nursing associate
• Activity co-ordinator
• Housekeeper
• Healthcare support worker
• Technical instructors
• A clinical service manager
• A unit manager
• Administrative support including medical secretary and unit administrator
• A pharmacist
• Domestic staff
• Reception/security

If you would like more information about any of the roles above, please contact us.

Advocacy

An independent mental health advocate (IMHA) is available to help represent a patient’s views to staff or other agencies. This could be by coming along on ward rounds.

Alternatively, the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) offer confidential advice, support, liaison and information to people (and their friends and family).

Other support

To support patients’ wider health and wellbeing needs, the team works with a range of partners including GPs, dentists, community drug and alcohol services, community health professionals and others.

If you would like to arrange a meeting with a member of your loved one’s care team, please contact the unit medical secretary.

Your loved one’s care and treatment is reviewed regularly by a team of health professionals. Formal reviews take place on a monthly and six-monthly basis, in the following forms:

Care programme approach (CPA)

The care programme approach (CPA) review is a meeting that takes place every six months with lots of health professionals who are involved in your loved one’s care.

Various members of the team will contribute to this, working with the individual and their families.

The aim is to come up with a comprehensive plan to meet the complex needs of each individual patient. This should have clear goals and objectives that can be applied by the team.

At each review we will evaluate the previous goals, their outcomes and any progress that has been achieved. Then we will adapt the care plan as needed and set new goals.

Clinical team meeting (CTM)

The clinical team meeting takes place every month with lots of health professionals who are involved in your loved one’s care.

The purpose of this is to monitor the goals that were agreed during the care programme approach review and to check they’re being implemented consistently. Sometimes these goals will be reviewed or amended as appropriate.

Objectives agreed within the care programme approach review are generally of a long-term nature, while the team meeting agrees short-term goals in the form of small, manageable steps.

Your involvement

If your loved one is happy for you to be involved in their care and treatment, you will be invited to their clinical team meetings and care programme approach meetings by letter.

These meetings are a good opportunity for you to hear about your loved one’s progress and plans for the future. You will also have the opportunity to discuss anything you feel would be beneficial in supporting their recovery journey.

Sharing information and confidentiality

There may be times when we aren’t able to provide you with information about your loved one and their treatment.

This is because information provided or discovered in the course of a professional relationship can’t be disclosed without consent. Without this consent we might not be able to give you any patient identifiable information, such as diagnosis, treatment options and other personal details.

Family members and carers can always receive non-confidential information from staff. This means anything that is already in the public domain, such as information about mental health conditions, the workings of the Mental Health Act, and local services available for both carers and patients.

Please tell us what you already know, as any information you are already aware of is not treated as confidential.

Similarly, you have the same rights to confidentiality on any information you disclose.

Even where we can’t provide information, your loved one does not have the right to stop you from engaging with any professionals on the unit.

If you would like any more information please ask.

If a person is detained under sections 2, 3, 37 or 47 of the Mental Health Act (1983), they must have permission from their responsible clinician (RC) to leave the hospital ward. This is called Section 17 leave.

Section 17 leave is the only legal way a person who is detained may leave the hospital. There are different kinds of leave and it is up to the responsible clinician to decide if a person is allowed to go out and how long for.

Sometimes a person might be allowed to go with staff, this is known as escorted leave and may take place in the hospital grounds or the local community.

Sometimes a person will be given leave with family or friends to another place. This is called accompanied or supervised leave and this will be discussed with you before it is arranged as you will need to agree to supervise the leave.

Eventually people will progress to using leave on their own, whether it’s in the community, to college, work placements or home. This is called unescorted leave.

Leave is usually agreed in a clinical team meeting or a care programme approach review.

It is dependent on a person’s progress with understanding their mental health and being able to keep themselves safe.

If someone doesn’t have permission, the police and other agencies may be called to look for them.

If your loved one consents, the care team can give you a copy of the Section 17 paperwork. This can be helpful in understanding the boundaries of the permitted leave.

Families and carers can play an important role in helping someone who has experienced the symptoms of psychosis to recover and stay well.

We would like to hear your story about what life was like with your loved one before they came to us. This can really help us get to know and understand your loved one and plan for their future more effectively.

Family work

Family work is about helping family members and close friends to support someone with a mental illness in the best way.

It helps you, as a family member, friend or carer, to look after yourself emotionally. It can also help you to deal with some of the problems that can result from supporting someone who has experienced psychosis, and provides the skills to work more collaboratively with health professionals.

Family work can take place either at the unit or in people’s homes. A trained member of the team will work with you and your loved one to develop strategies to help everyone cope better with the illness and its symptoms.

This in turn can help people who have been unwell to make better progress. It can also help families and carers to feel more positive about and more effective in their supporting roles.

Other support

From time to time, we will arrange family and friends’ drop-in coffee sessions, so you can meet other people who have had similar experiences to you.

This can be a great source of support, with staff also on hand to answer questions. We will keep you informed of these using your preferred form of communication.

You may be invited to courses specifically for family and friends. These are designed to help you learn more about the services that we offer or some of the things that your loved one may be experiencing.

We can also send you regular updates to inform you of new developments and share good news stories.

The Care Act 2014

For the first time you, as a carer, are recognised by law in the same way as those you care for.

You have the right to:

• An assessment
• Support planning
• Charging and financial assessment
• Personal budgets

You should be offered a carer’s assessment by the local authority of the person you are looking after.

Even if you’re not considered to be eligible for support, the local authority must provide you with information and advice on any local services that can help. Find out more at: www.carersuk.org/carersassessment

There are a range of national organisations that can provide help. We have listed some of these below.

There are also many support groups and organisations locally, visit www.carersuk.org/localsupport to see what is available where you live.

Care Quality Commission

The independent regulator of health and social care in England. Phone: 03000 61 61 61 www.cqc.org.uk

Carers Trust

Advice, information and support for carers. Phone: 0300 772 9600 www.carers.org

Carers Direct

Free confidential advice for carers including information regarding advocacy services. Phone: 0808 802 0202 www.nhs.uk/carersdirect

Carers UK

Advice, information and support for carers - from filling in forms to coping with emotions. Phone: 0808 808 777 www.carersuk.org

Mind

Information and advice for people affected by mental illness and their carers. Phone: 0300 123 3393 www.mind.org.uk

Rethink

Information, advice and community services for people affected by severe mental illness and their carers. Phone: 0300 5000 927 www.rethink.org

Turn 2 Us

Information and advice on benefits and grants. Phone: 0808 802 2000 www.turn2us.org.uk

Young Minds

The UKs leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, also offering support for young carers. Phone: 020 7089 5050 www.youngminds.org.uk

Talk to FRANK

www.talktofrank.com

Al-Anon

Here for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking.

https://al-anonuk.org.uk/  

Confidential Helpline on 0800 0086 811

Email helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk

Drug Fam

www.drugfam.co.uk

Helpline: 0300 888 3853 from 9am-9pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Adfam

https://adfam.org.uk/help-for-families/finding-support/

Gambling

https://www.gamcare.org.uk/

Patient advice and liaison service

The patient advice and liaison service (PALS) acts on behalf of service users, families and carers to negotiate prompt solutions and help bring about changes in the way that services are developed.

As well as providing a confidential advice and support service, PALS will help guide you through the different services available from the NHS.

Tel: 0161 716 3083

Comments and complaints

We want to learn from comments and complaints about our services. If you have any, please speak with a member of staff.

Every effort will be made to resolve any concerns and complaining will not cause any difficulties in your care with us.

You can also contact our complaints department via post at Trust Headquarters, 225 Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7SR.

Tel: 0161 716 3083

Email: complaints.penninecare@nhs.net

You can be the voice of your community by electing or becoming a governor, find out more about your local mental health and community services, and receive updates, comment on our plans and get invitations to health events.

Tel: 0161 716 3960

Email: pcn-tr.ftmembership.penninecare1@nhs.net

Please speak to a member of staff if you need help to understand this information.

And let us know if you require information in a different format such as large print, spoken (on CD) or Braille, or require it in a different language.