Pictured above at the presentation are Lead Governor Mike Hobbs, members of the Kennet Ward team, including Charge Nurse Tega Taiga who nominated the team, and Trust Chair David Walker.

Kennet Ward is the main hub for the forensic service as the admission, treatment and rehabilitation ward. The team were presented with their April Exceptional People Team Award and received their prize in a ceremony hosted by Trust Chair David Walker and Lead Governor Mike Hobbs at the Trust headquarters at Littlemore Mental Health Centre.

Kennet Ward were nominated for their dedication to deliver safe and excellent quality care to patients whilst listening and supporting their needs, successfully reducing incidents of assault on staff and other patients and progressing patients. Kennet ward champion Trust values, show dedication and most importantly, put the patients at the heart of what they do.

Trust Chair David Walker congratulated the team, recognising the challenges they face and their achievements.

Making a difference

The Forensic ward are a dedicated team, working together to deliver great care to their patients. The staff care for some challenging patients and always manage to provide the care needed in a compassionate manner – meeting the needs of the patients, committed to supporting and understanding them, always with clear communication.

A quality improvement project on the ward successfully reduced incidents of assault on staff and other patients. The benefits of this project were experienced by patients and all staff on the ward – leading to fewer instances of risk, allowing the care and safety needs of both staff and patients to be better anticipated and responded to.

The team have also effectively progressed challenging patients into the community or other placements, where they have been reported to be doing well.

The work done on Kennet ward has meant staff are able to develop good therapeutic relationships with patients, having a positive impact on the care and wellbeing of patients.

The nomination

Charge Nurse from Kennet Ward Tega Taiga nominated the team. Sharing an example of the difference they make, Tega commented:

“The team had a patient who was quite challenging, a high risk to himself and others, self-harming, violent and aggressive. They were able to create a good rapport with the patient, who ended up settling in on the ward and forming positive relationships with staff and other peers. He was really sad to leave the ward and has rung us to keep in touch as part of his care.”