The efforts of staff to continue to provide excellence in care at an adult mental health ward at Leverndale Hospital in Glasgow during the pandemic have been praised by Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.

The Commission inspected the rehabilitation ward within the hospital and spoke to staff and patients to better understand how care has been managed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The ward is an 11-bedded mixed-sex ward, providing intensive rehabilitation and recovery care and treatment to adults with severe and enduring mental health problems.

In the report, Alison Thomson, Executive Director (Nursing) at the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, said: “Although the Covid-19 situation has been a devastating and traumatic time, it has presented challenges that have required collaboration, commitment, creativity and finding new ways of working. We were impressed with the way in which this service has adapted and it is hoped the positive changes that have benefitted some aspects of patient care can be continued and developed in future models of care.”

She added that they were ‘impressed’ by patient care and support plans which were described as ‘holistic, comprehensive’ and ‘ensure the patient is held at the centre of their care and treatment’. She added that it was evident that nursing staff actively promote and support family involvement in patient’s lives and, where appropriate, in discussion of the patient’s care and treatment.

The Commission also praised weekly activities designed to support patients, including cooking groups, arts and crafts groups, beauty sessions, socialising through games, weekly themed nights and most recently, a ‘Come Dine with Me’ themed event. Staff have also recognised the impact of the COVID restrictions by creating a ‘lockdown wall’ at the entrance of the ward.

Ms Thomson, added: “This was a really symbolic project between patients and staff where everybody came together towards the start of lockdown to paint whatever they felt was important and meaningful to them on a canvas. This resulted in a lovely display of all their favourite things, special memories and inspirational quotes. The project is viewed with pride by everybody involved and seems to inspire hope and the promise of brighter days to follow, after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Susanne Millar, Interim Chief Officer at Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This has been a hugely challenging year for everyone, not least patients who are faced with complex mental health problems. I’m delighted that this report has highlighted the incredible work of our teams to ensure an environment where the needs of our patients is at the front and centre of everything we do. The passion and commitment demonstrated by our staff has provided care and support when people have needed it most and I want to thank them for all that they do.”