Developed in partnership with SignHealth, the Deaf Service at St Andrew’s Healthcare provides a phased approach to care within a new state of the art facility, William Wake House. The recent publication of the medium secure standards for deaf people has recognised the unique nature of the needs of deaf forensic mental health service users, which are significantly different to those who are hearing (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2011).
St Andrew’s Deaf Service provides a deaf treatment programme that is culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate. The person-centred service delivers individual treatment packages which support our service users through a care pathway.
Use of a phased approach and a comprehensive risk management system allows us to provide the best quality care for a range of Deaf service users. Although contained within a medium secure physical environment, the service is responsive to each service user’s individual risk needs.By adapting relational and procedural security we are able to meet the mental health needs of not only those service users considered to require medium secure care but also those who may have been previously considered to have needs more in keeping with traditional low secure services.
This service is based in Northampton and its geographical positioning is ideal in providing services to deaf patients from the midlands and south of the country, whilst still accessible for service users from further afield.
Most of those suitable for this service will have had substantial hearing impairment since an early age. Many will use a sign language, such as British Sign Language (BSL), as their primary communication method and may also consider themselves as belonging to a distinct Deaf culture. However, the essential requirement is whether or not they are likely to benefit from the care provided by the service. As a guide, the presence of the following factors suggests that a person may be suitable for this service:
· A hearing impairment
· Male, aged 18 – 65 years
· Evidence of/ suspected mental health needs including mental illness, learning disability, acquired brain injury, ASD or PD
· Present risk to themselves and/or others which can only be managed in a secure environment
· Detained/ eligible for detention under the Mental Health Act (MHA)
The first language of the service is British Sign Language (BSL) and the service model stresses the importance of appropriate communication together with respect for and understanding of Deaf culture.
The care provided by the Deaf service is person-centred and includes assessment (including communication assessment), treatment, relapse prevention and rehabilitation. This is delivered based upon the Therapeutic Community principles of attachment, containment, communication, involvement and agency in order to deliver high-quality, safe care in a culturally competent and linguistically appropriate way. Deaf staff have been actively recruited to all positions within the service.
A multi-disciplinary team works with each patient to facilitate recovery. Comprehensive care planning underpins the patient journey through the service and this also includes rigorous risk assessment and risk management procedures. All interventions will be based upon the best available evidence and will utilise a multi-disciplinary biopsychosocial approach in order to optimise the patient’s level of functioning, promote recovery and manage any risks they may present.
Located within William Wake House, the specialist Deaf Service is based on a dedicated ward, Fairbairn that has a number of environmental adaptations to meet the needs of deaf people as well as other facilities and services including: Modern bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms; Therapy areas e.g. crafts, IT skills, kitchens and vocational rehabilitation; A fitness suite, which incorporates a large gym, multi-gym and a physiotherapy treatment area; Large enclosed courtyard and gardens; Child and family visitor room; Multi-faith room; Swimming pool; GP and dental care.
For more information contact Dr Simon Gibbon on 01604 608648 (Typetalk 18001 01604 606729) or email sgibbon@standrew.co.uk