I was delighted to be invited to meet with a group of patients in the adult unit at Riverdale Grange for some group feedback. Thank you so much to the patients who contributed to a great discussion about the care and experience of being at Riverdale Grange. Below are the comments that we agreed together could go onto the Care Opinion website.
Tim Hunt Integration Development Manager, Care Opinion.
The group started with a discussion about the benefits of having a student art therapist for 6 months. All agreed that the sessions were really beneficial and got loads out of it.
It was really good to be able to express feelings without verbalising them as you do in talking therapies. Sometimes feelings come up you didn’t know were there. Both the individual and group sessions were really good. And the sessions felt safe. She was really good at interpretation and sharing insights from the sessions. It was lovely when she thanked the residents for all the learning she had gained from the group.
The massages with the therapist are really good for relaxation and help with any stomach problems. She is only here 2 days and access to her is a bit patchy. So it can be disappointing when you look forward to it and it doesn’t happen. So for example if you are in chair rest the therapist really helps because there is nothing much to do
On that note, it was helpful when there was access to Netflix, it’s a shame there is no sky but the group realises that its difficult because this is a hospital setting. Its helpful when you can see recordings of soaps etc.
There were some comments about the Ward rounds. On the positive its good that everyone involved with you is there but they can also be intimidating so sometimes its hard to say the things you need. This is where decisions are made, but it feels like a long time to wait because they are once a week . The OTs in particular are brilliant and really helpful.
The Internet is much better than it used to be, but it still can be an issue at times. It does go off at times.
People found the top floor of hospital unpleasantly hot and roasting. Doesn’t feel like there is any ventilation and the fans are insufficient.
The showers are tricky, they can start scalding and inconsistent. Heating is on sometimes in the hot weather which does not feel right and sometimes not on in the cold weather.
The Nurses are really helpful this cohort of staff are kind, compassionate and knowledgeable. They have the specialised knowledge which is so important and not available in other hospitals.
Staff understand about know all the comorbid stuff which is so important. They take the time to understand the complexity of each person and all the little details that are important. Also mentioned the role of the support workers who are a constant presence and really help it to feel like a safe place. Staff sometimes feel like friends and really helpful. Nursing staff so important at mealtimes. And there is real consistency with permanent staff not like when you have bank staff all the time. When they do have bank staff its usually the same ones who are good.
Also the managers will pick up when staff aren’t quite as proficient as they could be. If you raise issues you feel believed and that it will get looked at.
All the cleaners are lovely, so helpful and really friendly. They treat you like human beings. Rooms are very nice its important that they are not all the same and you can personalise them. Makes them feel like safe spaces.
Sometimes at handovers there seem like times when things aren’t communicated and passed on as well as they could be.
There were also comments about how good it was that there was both short and long term recovery planning from the start. The OTs are good with this and it keeps peoples hopes up
Finally the two managers are so passionate about their jobs and are really approachable. They go above and beyond with their support of residents and take the time if needed.
"Group Feedback from Adult Unit."
About: Riverdale Grange Clinic Riverdale Grange Clinic S10 3FE www.riverdalegrange.co.uk
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