Stroke Wards - Welcome to the Floyd Unit

Introduction

The Floyd Unit was opened in October 1988. The unit is part of the Manchester Centre for Neurosciences and is based on the Birch Hill Hospital site, Birch Road, Rochdale.

It is an eighteen bedded unit providing a service to male and female adults from the age of 16.

Inpatients have access to the multidisciplinary team, comprising medical and therapeutic staff.

Whilst patients are on the unit, relatives are encouraged to participate in the rehabilitation process, this will prepare families for their relatives to be discharged and provide insight into the patients injuries and subsequent difficulties.

Therapeutic recovery can vary from weeks up to many months, with discharge arrangements focused on the individual needs of the patient. These may range from minimal help to a complex package of care.

It is not expected that a full recovery will take place whilst the patient is on the unit, the team will commence the process and give the patients and relatives programmes to continue when the patient is discharged. Referral to outside agencies will be made to assist once the patient gets home.

There are both single and double rooms on the unit, patients may be asked to share a double room as necessary. Patients may be asked to move rooms during their stay, clinical needs of patients will be considered when this is required.

Housekeeping

Visiting times on the unit are between 10am until 8pm.

Visitors are asked to kindly refrain from attending the unit at mealtimes as this can distract patients.

The staff would kindly ask that personal items are kept to a sensible amount, it is understood that patients are on the unit longer than most wards, but, for infection control precautions, it is necessary that cleaning staff are able to clean surfaces daily, without having to move patients belongings to do so.

Also, please can we remind patients and relatives, that any valuables are not the responsibility of the staff to keep safe.

Any mobile phones, tablets, laptops, or cash are left on the unit at the owner’s risk. Please keep these items safe! There are many visitors to the unit and staff will be unable to protect these items from theft/damage.

The rehab kitchen is available for patient use only, after assessment from the Occupational Therapists. It is expected that patients will assist staff to keep this area clean and tidy.

There is a café across from the unit, which is open weekdays, if visitors require a hot drink or snack, otherwise it is expected that visitors provide their own refreshments.

There are 2 vending machines on site, but these belong to outside agencies and are not the responsibility of unit staff.

Each bedroom has a TV, free of charge. Please ensure the remote control is kept safe and left behind when leaving the unit.

The unit does not have laundry facilities for patients to wash their own clothes. Relatives are kindly asked to take patients clothes home to wash, it maybe likely these clothes are soiled.
 
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has a no smoking policy which is strictly enforced. Any patient or relative who wishes to smoke is asked to leave the building and move away from the main entrance of the unit. Patients who are unable to leave the unit unaided may ask staff to assist them outside, but this will only take place at the convenience of staff, other patients care needs will be prioritised.

Under no circumstances will alcohol or any other substances be allowed on the unit. Alcohol consumption after a head injury is potentially lethal and may induce convulsions, it may also interact with medications. If any illegal substances are found on the unit, the Police will be called to deal with the offenders.

The unit is accessible by ringing the doorbell to alert staff visitors wish to enter, we request your patience, staff will respond as soon as they are able, please keep in mind they will be taking care of patient’s needs. It is necessary to have this security system in place to protect patients ensuring their safety and prevent anyone entering or leaving the building unobserved by staff.

The rehabilitation team

In a specialist rehabilitation setting, a ‘multidisciplinary’ team of professionals will work closely with the person with a brain injury.

Initially, each therapist will carry out detailed assessments to explore the extent of the difficulties caused by the brain injury, including physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and social difficulties.

Following the assessment process, the team will discuss with the client and the family what their priorities and goals for the period ahead might be and what they hope to achieve. Based on this, the rehabilitation goals – both short and long-term – will be agreed and the rehabilitation programme will be planned.

In devising the rehabilitation programme, the team will want to set goals that take into account each patient’s individual views and needs, their cultural background, and pre-injury lifestyle and interests.

The different therapists who may be involved in the rehabilitation process, and their areas of expertise, are outlined below:

Clinical neuropsychologist

A clinical neuropsychologist is a psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive (thinking) problems following brain injury.

A neuropsychologist can advise on how to build upon the person’s existing skills and abilities and how to reduce some of their difficulties.

Occupational therapist (OT)

OTs help people to develop independence in carrying out daily tasks such as dressing, washing, cooking and leisure activities.

An OT will also help the person to develop the skills that underlie these activities, such as budgeting and planning, and help to find ways around any remaining problems.

At a later stage, the OT may help and advice on difficulties that may be encountered in the home environment and advise on any adaptations that may need to be made. They will also be involved in planning for returning to work.

Speech and language therapist

A speech and language therapist (sometimes referred to as a SALT or SLT) helps people to improve their communication skills.

This may include understanding and expressing both written and spoken language and improving speech clarity. The speech and language therapist will work with family members to help the person to communicate as best they can in their daily life and will identify any communication aids that may be helpful.

They may also be required to assess swallowing difficulties and provide guidance on how this should be managed safely.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist helps people to regain the use of their muscles and joints after injury and helps with balance and movement problems.

A ‘physio’ will, for example, suggest exercises to help the person improve their physical ability and enable them to become as mobile and independent as possible.

Nurse

Nurses help the therapists to implement many of the rehabilitation strategies.

In many in-patient rehabilitation units, the care provided by the nursing team is the foundation for the rehabilitation programme provided by the multidisciplinary team.

Discharge process/planning/info

The Floyd unit is an intermediate neuro rehab unit and only one part of the rehab journey.

Discharge for neuro rehab patients is complex due to the variety of difficulties patients may face with daily tasks, the specialist support they may require and environmental factors.

The complexity of the discharge planning process and the input required from several external agencies means that the process can be lengthy.

The discharge planning process will therefore start from an early stage so patients and families should expect discussions to take place about discharge options and destinations in the first goal setting meeting.

Expected date of discharge (EDD)

Each patient will have an expected date of discharge (EDD) so that the patient, family, and the Floyd unit team can all work towards this.

The EDD is set specifically for that individual considering their injury/condition, level of impairment and rehabilitation needs.

Environment

For patients planning to return home on discharge an Access Visit (without the patient) will be carried out by the Occupational Therapist; this is to assess the environment is suitable to meet the patients’ needs e.g., access into and around the property, space for equipment/wheelchair and heights of furniture for transferring.

In some cases major adaptations may be required, and a referral will be made to the Community Occupational Therapists however patients will not wait in the Floyd unit whilst work is carried out and temporary solutions will be required.

For example, it is common for patients who are unable to manage the stairs to be downstairs living upon discharge and may be required to use a commode for toileting. Home Visits are completed for some patients where the patient is taken home for an assessment.

Ongoing care

Each patient that requires a package of care on discharge will be referred to the Social Work dept in their local area.

Carers can support patients in their own environment with tasks such as washing and dressing, meals, and toileting. An initial screen for Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding will be carried out by the Floyd unit staff to establish whether care will be funded by a health or social care budget.

If the patient screens in for CHC then a meeting will take place to determine whether they qualify for health care funding. If the care is to be funded by social services then a means tested financial assessment will be completed.

Ongoing therapy

If the patient/family consent and the Floyd unit feel it is appropriate, then a referral will be sent to the relevant community therapy teams.

The Floyd Unit will communicate the progress made to date and future goals. The community therapy is unlikely to be as intensive as the in-patient setting and there is usually a waiting list.

Follow up

All patients will be seen for a follow up appointment with their Floyd Unit consultant; this will be either three or six months after discharge.

Contacting the Unit

Any enquires please contact the unit on the numbers below: Reception – 01706 517125

Unit Manager – 01706 517351

Consultant PA’s – 01706 517623

Team room – 01706 517610