Ruskin Unit

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 on the ward.

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 – for progressive conditions such as dementia

Ruskin is an inpatient unit, which treats people with organic mental health conditions. The ward is based at Carleton Clinic, Carlisle, Cumbria.

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 and your family/carer 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/and involvement in all aspects of your care plan throughout your stay in hospital.

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 everyday there is a nurse in charge who is a point of contact; this information is displayed on a board on the ward corridor near the office.

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. There are a range of therapeutic activities available to you while you are in hospital which will be discussed individually with you.

All nursing staff on Ruskin wear hospital uniform.

How long you stay in hospital depends on your needs. However, the care team will discuss discharge with you and your family/carer 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.

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. Carers are entitled to an assessment of their own needs if necessary. At the entrance to the ward there is a selection of information leaflets for carers.

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.

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

Ruskin visiting times are normally between 10am and 8 pm. We would ask that you don’t visit during mealtimes:
Breakfast 8 am – 9.30 am
Lunch 12 noon – 1.00 pm
Dinner 5 pm – 6 pm
Supper 8 pm – 9 pm

You can use the ward telephone to contact relatives. Mobile phones are allowed on the ward but we ask they are not used in communal areas.

Within 24 hours of admission, you and your carer will be given more detailed information about your hospital stay and an opportunity to discuss any further information needs you may have. Please ask any member of staff for information.

Staff can arrange an interpreter if you need one.

Advocacy services are available to people admitted to Ruskin Unit. Please ask staff for details.

• Bus timetable information – Telephone: 0871 200 22 33 (7am – 8pm)
• Bus routes for Carlisle –https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/buses/carlisle/https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/buses/carlisle/
• Public transport maps –https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-transport-road-safety/transport/publictransport/busserv/timetables/clr/transportmaps.asp/

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.

• 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
[email protected]
Text: 0781 550 0015

• The Patient and Carer Involvement Service
Tel: 01670 501 816
Involving patients, carers and their families in making decisions about their care, can lead to better outcomes and a better overall experience. The Patient and Carer Involvement Service co-ordinate and facilitate involvement, as well as providing training and support to those who wish to help the Trust shape service design and delivery. To find out more information visit our webpage: www.cntw.nhs.uk/involvementor email: [email protected]

• 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 (Mon-Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs and Fri 9am-5pm, Sat and Sun 10am-4pm)
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

• Living well with Dementia: A National Dementia Strategy, Department of Health 2009

Ruskin Unit
Carleton Clinic
Cumwhinton Drive
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA1 3SX
Tel: 01228 608 080

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/868/0222 February 2022 V1
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2025
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