News / ‘Bleak’ room for mental health patients criticised in NHS inspection
A ROOM at the Gilbert Bain Hospital used to temporarily accommodate patients with mental health needs has been described as “bleak” and “not fit for purpose”.
A planned inspection from Mental Welfare Commission Scotland found the hospital’s “low stimulus room” contained no windows and had no alarm system for staff to summon help.
There were also “mixed views” from the people receiving support from the community mental health team, inspectors found.
Some individuals were “extremely happy” with the care provided and “highly valued the service”.
But some felt the service “was unable to meet their needs in a timely manner” and described it as “reactive, rather than proactive” with “good intentions, but inadequate outcomes”.
“One individual said they and their family felt very let down by the service and were unaware of any crisis plan to support them in times of distress,” inspectors added.
The report was published by Mental Welfare Commission Scotland following a visit to Shetland between 10 and 12 September last year.
As well as the community mental health team, inspectors also visited learning disability services.
They made four recommendations to NHS Shetland for future visits, one of which related to the Gilbert Bain Hospital’s low stimulus room.
Inspectors said this was a “short-term place of safety” while a treatment plan was put in place for some who was in “acute crisis” and was not suitable for general admission.
“We reviewed this environment and considered it not fit for purpose in its current state,” they said.
“It was bleak with no windows, and only contained a bed and a chair, with no access to outside space or fresh air.
“The room was situated at the end of a corridor. There would be no ability for nursing staff to remove themselves safely and still observe an individual in the event of aggression resulting from stress and distress.
“There was no alarm system to summon help.”
Inspectors were told that a team of senior staff were trained in the management of aggression, who would be called on in such an event.
But they heard these staff “could live up to an hour or more away” and would not be able to provide immediate assistance.
Some patients were also admitted to a side room on ward three if they were going to be transferred to Aberdeen, and supported by a nurse on a one-on-one basis.
“We reviewed this facility and whilst it was a better option than the ‘low stimulus room’, there were still some obvious concerns, including lots of medical equipment around which could pose a risk should an individual be in a stressed and distressed state,” inspectors said.
“We do however acknowledge the challenge posed to provide care and treatment in the confines of what is available. “
They advised health managers to carry out a “robust risk assessment of both the low stimulus room and ward three”.
The aim should be to provide a “safe and comfortable space that promotes privacy and dignity and minimises the potential risk posed to individuals and staff.”
Inspectors said there was good news about the ability of the mental health team to recruit and retain staff, with the team “almost at full complement”.
There was also positivity about the stability of the team following a succession of locum medics.
Mental Welfare Commission Scotland said it required a response to its recommendations within three months.
It also asked for further information about how its report had been shared with the staff and relatives/carers involved with the service.
NHS Shetland has been approached for comment.
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