St Andrew’s Healthcare is now offering a complete pathway for women with complex mental health needs after opening a new six-bed ward at its site in Essex.
Maldon ward provides short periods of rapid assessment, treatment and stabilisation for patients aged between 18 and 65 who are experiencing an acute phase of mental illness. The aim is for the entire multi-disciplinary (MDT) team to work together to develop care plans to help reduce future episodes, including risk reduction and relapse prevention.
The bright, modern environment includes private therapy areas, an IT room, patient kitchens and a vocational rehabilitation space. There is also a fitness suite and large enclosed courtyard and garden.
Patients are individually assessed by St Andrew’s dedicated team and given a clear plan, including an estimated discharge date. However, if their health deteriorates while on Maldon there is the option for patients to be supported within the Women’s Mental Health or Personality Disorder Pathway within the charity.
Antony Miller, St Andrew’s Healthcare’s service director for Essex, said: ‘Our aim is to support patients to overcome acute phases of mental illness so we can discharge them back to their local community as quickly as possible.
‘We’re very excited about this new service as it means as a charity we’re now offering all elements of the female mental health pathway. As well as Maldon, which is an acute ward, St Andrew’s also has a female psychiatric intensive care (PICU) setting, a rehab service for women as well as a female mental health forensic service. We’re now accepting and treating people from any part of that pathway, but the current theme that runs throughout all our services is patients are encouraged to lead their own recovery.’
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