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The Harper Huntington’s Disease Unit is a specialist unit offering individualised assessment, treatment and care for men and women aged 18 and over diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease with accompanying physical needs and challenging behaviour. This service is available for individuals detained under the Mental Health Act (1983).
The knowledge and experience of the comprehensive multi-disciplinary team means that the needs of individuals with challenging behaviour who require a low secure environment can be met. The Care Programme Approach enables co-ordinated and effective management of symptoms as part of the team’s collective aim of maintaining the best possible quality of life for our service user.
Environment and Facilities
The Harper HD Unit, a mixed gender unit on the ground floor, provides bright, spacious and attractive accommodation fitted with appropriate furniture and equipment. There is direct access to its own safe garden and beyond that there are the impressive grounds of St Andrew’s and other leisure and recreational facilities including a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gymnasium. There are regular outings within the community covering a range of activities and interests so as to maintain as varied and normal a lifestyle as possible.
Care Pathway
An individually determined pathway of care is offered that includes regular, comprehensive assessments detailing physical and neuropsychiatric problems. The aim is to maximise an individual’s quality of life through helping to maintain functional abilities and optimising physical health within the constraints of the disease. In addition the acquisition of new skills and interests is encouraged and supported.
There is no pre-determined limit on the length of stay within the service. This could range through all stages of the disease but the multi-disciplinary team works in partnership with the NHS and Social Services organisations to address the needs of those people with challenging behaviour that compromises their local care.
Day care is available for individuals who live within a 25 mile radius of St Andrew’s Healthcare Northampton campus. Respite care is also available subject to bed availability. In addition treatment advice for other providers can be provided upon request.
Treatment Approach
The ethos of the service is person-centred aiming to provide an environment that is safe, structured, respectful and caring of the individuals within it. Treatment begins with careful assessment and diagnosis of psychiatric and physical conditions and communication needs associated with Huntington’s Disease. An individualised treatment and care plan is prepared that focuses on the maintenance of comfort, dignity and functional skills. A comprehensive and holistic assessment of each individual’s mental and physical health is undertaken. This includes a thorough assessment of risk, including behavioural risks, mental health risks as well as those risks that are particularly relevant to Huntington’s Disease such as nutritional problems associated with swallowing difficulties, falls, exploitation and abuse.
Individual service user progress and outcome is assessed and monitored by a range of validated measures. Dementia care mapping is used both to ensure positive interactions between staff and service users and to provide feedback to staff. There is an active research and training programme and we maintain professional contacts with other workers in the field and work collaboratively with the Huntington’s Disease Association.
Active involvement of families is encouraged in order to help us to maintain awareness of the history and personal identity of each individual as well as to develop a supportive relationship for the family and carers.
Enquiries
For general information please contact us by telephone or e-mail. Freephone enquiries on 0800 434 6690 or email enquiries@standrew.co.uk
For more specific information about this service and referrals, please contact the Operational Manager on 01604 616095 or email townsend@standrew.co.uk
Art work is courtesy of St Andrew's Healthcare service users
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