Room for improvement in mental health - report
Wishaw General Hospital have been handed areas for improvement in their Adult Mental Health ward.
The random visit from the Mental Welfare Commission on February 16 set out three guidelines following the trip.
Now health bosses are being told to ensure their heating system and to ensure they mix their patients better when in ward two.
The report also recommended that care plans were audited with senior charge nurses to ensure consistency as well as reviewing the look of the ward to make it feel less clinical.
However, the report also praised the hard-working staff and the cleanliness of the ward.
But the inspectors believed more could be done to benefit the patients.
It stated:“The people we met with said they felt supported by staff and that their families were made to feel welcome on the ward.
“However, it was brought to our attention that some patients with a functional illness struggle with the patient mix on the ward.
“We are aware that there is a ward next door hat is for patients with a dementia diagnosis, but that when these beds are full, patients will often be boarded in Ward Two.
“We heard that the two patient groups, functional mental illness and dementia illnesses, have differing needs and that at times staff can be stretched trying to ensure all needs are met.
“We suggested that managers give further consideration to the patient mix to ensure maximum benefit to all patients.”
Paula Macleod, general manager of NHS Lanarkshire’s mental health and learning disability service, said: “We welcome the findings contained within the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report following its inspection in February.
“We were pleased with the positive findings of the inspectors and that the professionalism and good practice of our staff was recognised.
“We are in the process of implementing the recommendations contained within the report.”
A Mental Welfare Commission spokesperson said:“We undertake over 100 local visits like these every year.
“By publishing our reports we hope to help share good practice where we find it, and call for change where services are lacking.”