The Wenrisc Ward is a busy inpatient rehabilitation ward for older adults at Witney Community Hospital. Its name comes from an old Cotswold village alongside which a stream flowed into the River Windrush.

Like all Oxford Health services, the staff strive to be approachable and friendly which helps to build a good therapeutic environment for patients. This is even more important during the pandemic.

Ward sister Helen Moir, said:

“I am delighted to receive the excellent reviews. Our ward vision is to work together and through mutual respect, good communication and supporting one another we provide a therapeutic, safe, happy and rewarding environment for both patients and staff. We are outstanding people giving outstanding care.

“I have been especially proud of how the whole Multi-Disciplinary Team including nurses, therapists, doctors, healthcare assistants, admin staff, domestics and porters have pulled together and worked hard during this un-precedented time we see ourselves in.

“We have all learnt new skills and become creative in enabling our patients to remain happy when they have had limited visitors. We are all now ‘experts’ with the ipads with the patients so they see/hear and join in with their families.

“Staff have gone above and beyond for our patients – we have been boosting their morale by hairdressing, providing in special treats like crumpets and we always have music playing and there’s bird feeders on the windows which provide a great source of amusement.”

The positive ethos of the Wenrisc Ward has been reflected in some of the feedback received from patients.

One reviewer said: “The nursing staff were good humoured and very helpful and nothing was too much trouble for them. They always had a good word for everyone,” while other commented on how friendly people were, the support they received and the staff always being ready to help.

Another I Want Great Care reviewer said: “English is not my first language. I was fortunate that several staff members were able to speak my language. I was provided with a communication chart with English and my language to help myself and staff. I was treated with kindness and dignity.”