Akenside – Patient Information Leaflet

This leaflet provides helpful information for your stay on Akenside, a specialist inpatient ward for older people with functional mental health conditions.

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This leaflet may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without the permission of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

  • Introduction

    This leaflet provides you with information that you will find useful during your stay. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

  • What are Inpatient Services?

    Most older people with mental health needs will receive assessment, treatment and care in
    their own home. However, for a small number of people admission to hospital will be
    appropriate.

    Inpatient Services for older people provide specialist mental health assessment and
    treatment in hospital for two main groups:
     Functional mental health – conditions such as depression, anxiety or psychosis
     Organic mental health – with progressive conditions such as dementia

  • What is Akenside?

    Akenside is an inpatient unit, which treats people with functional
    mental health conditions. The ward is based at Centre for
    Health of the Elderly, Campus for Ageing and Vitality,
    Newcastle upon Tyne.

  • What we do

    You have come into hospital because you have mental health
    needs that require support from a range of specialist doctors,
    nurses and other health care workers. To enable the right
    support to be organised to meet your needs, it is important
    everyone understands exactly what your needs are and what
    will help you. We aim to work together with you to help you
    manage your needs so that you can move forward in your life
    with the support you require in the most acceptable way for you.

    This is the assessment process and staff will seek your consent
    on all aspects of your care plan throughout your stay in hospital.

  • Named Nurse

    During your stay in hospital you will have a named nurse who
    will be responsible for co-ordinating your care. If your named
    nurse is not on duty you will have access to any of the nursing
    team.

    You will be given the name of your named nurse within 24
    hours of your admission. They will introduce themselves to you
    as soon as they are next on duty. However on a daily basis
    there is a nurse in charge as a point of contact; this will be
    displayed on a board on the ward.

    There is a lot of evidence that shows you can gain a great deal
    by participating in the right activities that are designed to meet
    your needs. The benefits and ranges of activities will
    be discussed with you by a member of the multi disciplinary
    team.

  • How long will I be in hospital?

    How long you stay in hospital depends on your needs.
    However, the care team will discuss discharge with you as
    quickly as possible after your admission. It is important to
    emphasise you will not remain in hospital any longer than you
    need to. We aim to keep your time spent in hospital to a
    minimum.

  • Relatives and carers

    We value information from family and friends to help with
    assessment and treatment. We will involve your family and
    friends as much as possible with your permission and aim to
    support them as much as we can.

  • Discharge information

    The point at which you are ready to leave the ward will be a
    significant milestone. You may still need some help and
    support, which will be discussed with you before you are
    discharged and a copy of these arrangements (your discharge
    care plan) will be given to you and your carers.

  • Meal times

    Inpatient areas operate protected mealtimes. This means you
    have the right to enjoy mealtimes without unnecessary
    disruption. Further detail is available on the ward.

  • Visiting times

    Each inpatient area operates preferred visiting times and
    therefore we advise that before your relatives or carers visit that
    they check with nursing staff for these times.

  • Welcome Pack

    Within 24 hours of admission, you will be given more detailed
    information about your hospital stay and an opportunity to
    discuss any further information needs you may have. Do not
    hesitate to approach any member of staff for information.

  • Interpreters

    If you require an interpreter staff can arrange to book an
    appointment.

  • Travel information

    Contact Nexus Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 22 33

    Website: www.traveline.info/

  • What if I have a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint about the service?

    If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

    • talk to the people directly involved in your care

    • ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk (click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab)

    • telephone the Complaints Department 0191 245 6672

    • email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk

    • We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.

    You can provide feedback in the following ways:
    – the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/poy
    – complete a Points of You survey, available from staff.

  • Useful organisations

    PALS – Patient Advice and Liaison Service
    Provides information and advice about local NHS services
    and support organisations and helps sort out any problems
    with NHS services.
    North of Tyne Tel: 0800 032 0202

    Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation
    Trust
    Tel: 0191 246 6800
    Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk

    The Alzheimer’s Society
    Tel: 0300 222 11 22
    (Monday – Wednesday, 9am – 8pm, Thursday and Friday
    9am – 5pm,
    Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm)
    Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

    Age UK
    Tel: 0800 169 6565 (Mon-Sun, 8am-7pm)
    Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

    References
     UK physical activity guidelines, Fact sheet 4: Adults (19-64
    years), Fact sheet 5: Older adults (65+ years), Department of
    Health July 2011

  • Contact details

    Akenside Inpatients
    Centre for Health of the Elderly
    Campus for Ageing and Vitality
    Westgate Road
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE4 6BE
    Tel: 0191 246 8745

  • Other formats, references and review

    Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can
    be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think
    about this leaflet please get in touch.

    This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio,
    larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information
    Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

    Published by the Patient Information Centre
    2022 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
    Ref, PIC/495/0222 February 2022 V5
    www.cntw.nhs.uk
    Tel: 0191 246 7288
    Review date 2025