"Ward 2, Bootham Park Hospital, York - Well Deserved 'Star Wards Award'"

I have previously been an in-patient on Ward 2 at Bootham Park Hospital, York, and I would like to say how well deserving Ward 2 staff are of the 'Star Wards Award'.

The ward ethos is run according to the 3R's - Rest, Recovery & Recouperation, and the care provided is based on this, according to the level of individual need. The Ward Manager takes an interest in the care of her patients, and staff and ensures that they are all provided with a safe environment at all times. The staff are very attentative to the in-patients needs, they fully assess the individuals needs and work very closely with the consultant responsible for overall care.

Therapeutic activities are carefully co-ordinated, and a programme of daily occupational therapy activities is provided to ensure all interests are catered for and that all in-patients are able to access useful daily occupation.

The ward environment is kept very clean and tidy at all times. The Ward Manager ensures that it is a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

I would like to congratulate all the staff on Ward 2 BPH, for achieving the well deserved Star Wards Award. The recognition of their hard work and dedication to mental health is a great accolade to the excellent level of care provided. Ward 2 staff at BPH provide an example of how in-patient mental health care should be delivered. Hopefully the newly formed Leeds and York NHS Partnership Foundation Trust will be inspired to replicate this level of excellence and care across Mental Health Services.

It's a shame that the acute wards at BPH are single sex accommodation because the female in-patients are just as deserving of this level of care as the male in-patients.