A ward at Stobhill which treats patients with eating disorders has been praised in a recent inspection by the Mental Welfare Commission.
Inspectors visited Armadale Ward on the Stobhill Campus at the end of May and met with staff and patients.
The staff were “professional, approachable, engaged well and (had) a positive attitude” and were knowledgeable about the patients in their care. It was also noted that nursing staff had recently extended their role to carry out physical examinations such as ECGs and taking bloods.
Good planning was also evident on the day of the visit, with patients being given opportunities to consider the benefits of exercise and healthy eating to help promote recovery and patient-centred plans were regularly reviewed.
Patients with eating disorders need to be supervised regularly, particularly around meal times and inspectors found there to be an additional compliment of nursing staff “to meet the unique needs of patients who require an enhanced level of observation.”
When the Mental Welfare Commission last visited the ward in April 2018 a recommendation was made to improve access to the garden and privacy for patients. In May’s inspection they were pleased to see this had been addressed, with the garden now offering both security and privacy.
The inspection also found a good programme of structured activity for patients, and some were attending community based therapy groups that day. There were also opportunities for individual therapeutic activities for those not able to take part in group sessions. Input from the therapeutic activity nurses was singled out for providing “an extensive variety of activities and are highly praised by patients and the clinical team.”
Isobel Paterson, Head of Adult Services for Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (North East) said: “We welcome such a positive report from the Mental Welfare Commission that recognises the work of all staff who deliver services within Armadale Ward to provide recovery focussed care to patients who require to use our services.”