St Matthews Hospital

Patients told us they were supported to have some choice and control over their own care and treatment, through regular discussions with staff, attending multi-disciplinary meetings, and through care plan reviews. Staff supported patients to understand their rights by using different ways to communicate. For example, communication aids were available for those who had difficulty in communicating verbally. Staff produced easy read documents and used pictorial aids as and when relevant to maximise understanding. Patients had easy access to advocates. Staff could easily access translators if a patients first language is not English. Staff supported patients to maintain relationships and networks that were important to them. For example, some patients attended local places of worship. Patients had access to activities within the hospital and also out in the local community. Where appropriate, family members were updated and included in discussions about ongoing care and treatment. Visits from people that were important to patients was actively encouraged and facilitated. As and when patients required specialist aids or equipment to support and maximise independence, staff could source this.