Information about the Burrows
The Burrows
The Burrows is an admission ward for young people between the age of 13-18.
A Short term assessment is offered for a range of mental health difficulties. The aim of the assessments consists of working with you to develop effective coping skills, commencing medication if required, and addressing any other identified needs to aid your recovery journey.
We do not provide long-term care & treatment and if you have specific clinical needs due to risk presentation or require longer term treatment then we will refer you to a specialist provider where your needs can be more appropriately met.
As well as Northamptonshire, The Burrows serves the whole of the East Midlands region including Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes and Nottinghamshire.
Informal Patients
If you are an informal patient, this is because you have agreed to be admitted or if you are less than 16 years old, your parent or guardian has agreed to the admission.
Formal Patients
If you have been admitted as a formal patient, then you have been detained on a section of the Mental Health Act (1983). A member of staff will explain your rights and a leaflet will be made available to you for your reference. Other leaflets are available for your information regarding:-
- An Independent mental health advocate,
- Second opinion regarding your care and the process for appealing against your Section.
If the clinical team have concerns about your health & safety, risk presentation and you are refusing necessary clinical interventions following admission then the legal framework of the Mental Health Act will be considered to determine ongoing assessment, care & treatment.
Following admission you will be assigned a care team which includes a named nurse, a keyworker and co-workers. Soon after admission, you will meet with a member of your care team who will explain the roles of each member of the team. Your care team will speak to you about your care and formulate care plans/set goals to work towards your recovery during your admission; working with you and your family.
The trust has a no-smoking policy in and around the hospital. If you smoke, you may be offered alternatives for Nicotine Replacement Therapy. If you have any questions about this, please speak to a member of staff.
Facilities on the ward
- 10 single-sex bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. As far as possible males and females will be in separate corridors. Where this is not available, staff are always present to ensure the safety and dignity of patients and staff sit in each corridor whilst young people are sleeping.
- Family room x2
- Activity room
- Education room
- Single-gender lounge
- Laundry facilities
- Use of an Occupational Therapy kitchen for baking /cooking with staff support
- A garden area comprising an internal courtyard, astro turf area, raised beds and an outdoor seating area
- Televisions
- DVDs and DVD players
- Portable DVD & CD Players
- Xbox, Nintendo Wii, table tennis, garden games, board games, Nintendo DS and arts and crafts activities
What to expect during my admission?
What to expect during my admission?
As part of your care and treatment, we aim to provide a therapeutic environment that helps you to work towards your recovery. You will be required to sign and commit to following our acceptable behavioural contract which consists of the following conditions that need to be met during your stay on the ward:
- Attend all sessions offered on the ward including education, therapy groups and 1:1 sessions with multi-disciplinary team members
- Attend meal times to ensure a satisfactory dietary intake
- As in the community, education is a mandatory requirement. Bedroom access, TVs, stereos, computer games are discouraged during the education and therapy timetable
- Follow the rules regarding approprate and inapproprate items on the ward - see what items are not allowed on the ward in the 'What should I pack section?'
- Cooperate with us when searching your person or bedroom (this may be necessary if we have reason to believe that you have contraband items in your possession that may pose a risk to yourself or others)
- We do not tolerate bullying of any form. Abuse of a personal, sexual, racial or other hurtful nature by any means (verbal, written, phone, text, social media etc.) is unacceptable
- We acknowledge that young people may develop close friendships during their admission; however we do not expect to observe intimate or inappropriate behaviours on the ward such as close physical contact, regardless of gender
- The Burrows has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all our young people on the ward, if we feel you are putting others at risk we may consider discharge, or if appropriate, transfer to a more secure ward
- Young people are not to return to the ward in an intoxicated state. If you do, you may not be allowed to stay
- No intoxicating substances (drugs, alcohol, legal highs etc.) can be consumed or brought onto the ward. If you do this, it will affect whether you can stay on the ward
Any individual that does not adhere to expectations & boundaries will have a review undertaken regarding their continued stay at The Burrows and discharge may be considered.
Who will be involved in my care?
Who will be involved in my care?
During your time at The Burrows, you will come into contact with many different members of staff. There could be up to nine different clinical and non-clinical teams involved in your care at one time. These roles include:
- Consultant Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Healthcare Assitant
- Family Therapist
- Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Teacher
- Dietitian
- Activities Coordinator
When can i have visitors?
When Can I have visitors?
When you are admitted to The Burrows, a member of staff will work with you to create a list of approved visitors, this may include family and close friends. For any visitors under the age of 18, they will need to bring an adult with them when they visit you. Visits with under 18s will need to take place in one of our family rooms, which will need to be booked in advance. All visitors will need to ring the ward to confirm they wish to come visit you. Friends that are 18 will be required to bring ID with them, otherwise, these visits will be supervised and a parent will be contacted to consent to the visit. We know sometimes that some young people do not live locally so the burrows team is always flexible around visiting times.
Visiting Hours
- Monday - Friday: 4pm - 8pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9am - 8pm
- School Holidays (including bank holidays): 9am - 8pm
What will my daily routine look like?
What will my daily routine look like?
Meal times
- Breakfast: 8:15am - 8:45am (slightly later on weekends)
- Snack: 10:30am - 11:00am
- Lunch: 12:30pm - 1:00pm
- Snack: 3:00pm - 3:30pm
- Dinner: 5:00pm - 5:30pm
- Supper: 9:00pm - 9:30pm
Main meals are updated daily to ensure a healthy balanced diet. We offer alternative main meals for vegetarians and please let a member of staff know if you have any specific cultural/dietary requirements or allergies.
Daily Routine
Monday to Friday (in term time)
- 9:30am - The educational and therapeutic timetable starts. Room access during the hours of 9:30am and 4pm will be individually assessed and care planned. It is important to attend all lessons and other wellbeing sessions on your timetable as participation will help your treatment and recovery
- 10:00pm - TVs in the main area are turned off
- 10:30pm - Bedtime
- 11:00pm - Lights out in bedrooms - unless you have a specific care plan in place
Weekends and School Holidays (including bank holidays)
- These are for lie-ins. The team will still encourage you to be up by lunchtime at the latest
- Attending meal times is still required to ensure you are getting an adequate dietary intake
- 11:00pm - Bedtime (guided time that may be adjusted according to individual care plans)
- 11:30pm - Lights out in bedrooms (guided time that may be adjusted according to individual care plans)
Will I still be doing school work?
Will I still be doing school work?
You will be expected to participate in a group programme. This group programme will consist of both educational lessons as well as regular individual meetings with people involved in your care.
How does the group programme work?
- Our educational team will liaise with your school/college to build the educational lessons to support your studies.
- Every day the nurses' office will give a breakdown of the group programme for that day
- There will be weekly patient experience sessions in which you will have the opportunity to bring concerns and issues you may have as well as any suggestions you have to improve the ward
- Regular cooking sessions which we will encourage you to participate in and allow you to make your lunch or dinner with other young people and staff
If you have any queries about the group programme please speak to a member of staff on the ward.
Group programme timetable
You will meet with your key team once a week to complete your weekly timetable that is displayed on your bedroom door
- 9:30am - 10:30am Education lesson one
- 10:30am to 11am Break
- 11am to 12pm Education lesson two
- After Lunch - a variety of sessions that include:
- Therapeutic groups to support different ways of coping
- Community exposure groups
- Arts and crafts
- Psychological discussion groups
- Current affairs
- Patient experience group
- Cooking/baking
- Animal therapy
- Yoga
What can I bring with me?
What can I bring with me?
It can be difficult to decide what belongings you will need whilst you are in hospital. We have provided a list of items that are NOT allowed on the ward and some suggestions of items you might like to have with you. Any items you bring onto the ward are subject to being checked by members of staff for health & safety reasons. If there are any issues with your personal items, staff will discuss these with you and your family/carer. You are responsible for looking after any items you bring with you. It is your responsibility to keep your bedroom and general ward areas tidy. Please clean up after yourself. You are not permitted to enter other people’s bedrooms at any time, for any reason.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding personal property, please speak to a member of staff.
Can I bring my smartphone?
Personal mobile phones with a camera, recording facilities and internet access are now allowed on the ward. However, camera lenses must be covered with a sticker; this is to maintain the confidentiality of other young people. You are allowed a smartphone when you have read, understood and signed the Mobile Phone Policy. If you record video, conversation or take photographs on the ward, either in communal areas or your bedroom, you will be in breach of the mobile phone policy and access to your phone will be reduced, or for repeat contravention, your phone will be sent home. You would then only be allowed to bring in a basic mobile phone handset. You are not to share your mobile phone with other young people on the ward or use theirs.
Times you may use your mobile phone:
- Monday - Friday – Once sessions have finished. Must be handed in at 10.30pm every night
- Saturday/Sunday & school holidays are flexible but phones are to be handed in by midnight.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE MOBILE PHONE POLICY AGREEMENT MAY RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF YOUR SMARTPHONE AND IT BEING RETURNED HOME.
We reserve the right to check your property and undertake random checks of your bedroom if we have cause for concern about your safety or the safety of others and the environment. You will be informed of this and be given the opportunity to be present, whilst these checks are completed.
Suggestions for items to bring with you:
- Comfortable clothing - you will have regular access to washing facilities
- Your own duvet/pillows - we provide all bed linen, pillows and towels but you are allowed to bring your own if you would prefer to
- Toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner and body wash
- CDs/DVDs - 10 maximum DVDs and they must be rated 12 or under
- Magazines / Books
- Music player
- Money - We advise that you do not bring in large amounts of money, a maximum of £20 should suffice, which you are responsible for. Patients often order a takeaway once a week (Takeaway Tuesday). You do not have to participate, however, if you would like to join in, this is not funded by the ward.
- Game consoles
- Posters / Photographs
Items that we can look after for you
When you arrive on the ward you will be able to place some of your belongings in an individual property box that is kept in a secure cupboard. Items stored here may be:
- Electric Razors
- Hairdryers
- Hair Straighteners
- Glue
- Keys
- Money
- Chargers
- Blu-tack
- Tweezers
- Eyelash curlers
- Mirrors
- Nail polish/nail polish remover
- Body spray/perfume
- Hair removal cream
Access to items may require individual risk assessment.
Items brought into the ward that are not allowed will be returned to parents/carers to take home
Items that are not allowed on the ward
In the interest of Health & Safety and Risk Management the following items are not allowed on to the ward:
- Wireless headphones and earbuds
- Cigarettes, lighters, matches
- Vapes
- Over 18 materials including magazines/DVDs
- Inappropriate reading material
- Pirate DVDs/CDs
- Watch lighters
- Alcohol (or alcohol-based products)
- Metal cans/tins
- Oil burners, candles, incense sticks
- Knives/Blades/razors/pencil sharper/needles/sharps
- Energy drinks
- Drugs/ Illegal Substances
- Aerosol cans
- Plastic bags
- Hair dye
- Batteries
- Glass items
- Spiral bound notebooks
- Bath sponge balls
- Pringle tubes
- Caffeinated coffee
When can I spend time away from The Burrows?
When can I spend time away from The Burrows?
All time off the ward (leave) will be discussed with you, your parents/carers and the team. A joint decision will be made as to how often/how long you spend off the ward and this will become part of your care plan. Time off the ward will include:
- community activities, with/without staff
- appointments
- home leave
- attend school
Before all leave from the burrows
You will sit with your key team and complete a safety plan which helps us and your parent/carers/family know if you struggle on leave, what this looks like and how best to keep you safe. Once completed a copy will be given to your parent/carer or family. The nursing team will also complete a working with risk 3, this ensures that you and your escort are aware of all current risks and what steps/support have taken place that the NIC/team feel that the leave is safe to go ahead. Your safety is our main priority
Home Leave
Our expectation is that you will work towards going home from Fri – Sun (except on the 1st weekend after admission).
When you return to the ward from any leave, you will be asked to hand in any items with you that are not permitted on the ward. All patients will be subject to a search after all periods of leave, including short visits off the ward. These will be conducted by 2 same-sex staff unless you consent otherwise. The Burrows conduct basic searches (Search 1) as a rule, however, if a young person has brought contraband onto the ward which puts themselves, other patients or staff at risk, they will be placed on a higher level search (Search 2). There is a separate document covering this.
Items not allowed on the ward will either be placed in your property box or sent home with your parents/carers. Young people are expected back to the ward by 8:00pm by an adult who will give feedback to the staff on return to the ward.
There is controlled access to the ward door at all times, this is to ensure the safety of patients, staff & visitors and to minimise risk. As an informal patient, you have the right to ask to leave at any time. However clinical staff have a duty of care to ensure your safety and wellbeing and will need to risk assess any leave requests.
How will my religious, faith or cultural beliefs be supported?
How will my religious, faith or cultural beliefs be supported?
We understand that everybody is different and that we all have different needs. We will ask you if you have any special cultural needs.
The Burrows has a very good working relationship with the spiritual wellbeing team and they also offer fortnightly drop-ins
There is a multi-faith room and Chaplaincy service available within the Berrywood Hospital site. You can ask for someone from your own faith community to visit you in the hospital, staff may help with this request. We can make space for you to practice your faith privately, please speak to a member of staff if you would like this. Additionally, a member of NHFT's Chaplaincy service can visit you on request if you wish. Please see a member of staff if you require this service.
We will support you to make sure that we understand each other. We will use interpreters, signing and equipment if required.
If English is not your first language, or you have difficulty understanding it, we can provide skilled interpreters to help you.
General information
General Information
Clinical reviews
A clinical review meeting is held every Monday and includes everyone involved in your care, including you’re parent/carer/Family. The main purpose is to ensure everyone is updated on your care. – another heading PBS plans- PBS stands for a positive behavioural support plan. We encourage all young people to work with their key team to identify what support looks like for you when you need it the most
What is a Care Programme Approach (CPA)
You, your parent/carer and healthcare professionals have a Care Programme Approach (CPA) meeting to discuss your treatment and what support you may need. It is also a chance for you to discuss any questions you may have about your care. For more information, there is a leaflet about CPA on the ward.
What is a Care Plan?
Care plans are a written plan of action that looks at your individual needs, difficulties you may be experiencing and how best to support you with these. You will be actively involved in developing your care plans and will have a signed copy which we expect you to co-sign with your key worker.
How do I get a second opinion?
If you are uncertain about your diagnosis or the treatment you are receiving, you may wish to receive a second opinion. There is a leaflet available on the ward for more information.
How do I make a complaint?
The ward is always committed to working together and would always encourage you to speak to your key team or ward matron about any issues that are bothering you
If you are unhappy about the way you have been treated, you may wish to make an informal or formal complaint. There is a leaflet available on the ward for more information, or you can speak to PALS or the advocacy service regarding complaints.
Contact: 0800 917 7206
Can I see information that is written about me?
During your stay in the hospital, people involved in your care will maintain a health record. This is a written account of your physical and mental health as well as any additional conditions. If you are over the age of 16, you can access your health record by filling in an application form. This application form can be obtained from the address below or by ringing 03000 111133.
Information Governance Team, IM&T Department, Bevan House, Kettering Parkway South, Kettering, NN15 6XR.
Please discuss this further with your key worker if you require any support or assistance.
Is information about me shared with anyone?
All information about you, your family and your care is treated in the strictest confidence by staff. Sometimes, information may need to be shared with agencies outside of The Burrows in order to help support your care. A member of staff will discuss this with you if information needs to be shared.
Advocacy
Advocacy at the Burrows is provided by Voice Ability, a charity that is completely independent of our service. Advocates work only with Patients to make sure that their voices are heard, and that they know their rights and are getting the services they need. They also provide Independent Mental Health Advocates for patients detained under the Mental Health Act or Independent Mental Capacity Advocate for patients who lack capacity.
Find out more at VoiceAbility | Advocacy and involvement
Make a referral at VoiceAbility | Make a referral
Contact VoiceAbility
- 0300 303 1660 (open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
- helpline@voiceability.org
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide a helpful and friendly service and can provide you with information on services, places and people in Northamptonshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT). PALS can also liaise with you and the people involved in your care to resolve problems. PALS want to know what you think about the service you are receiving. Any comment you make is valuable in helping us to improve services for you.
Ask a member of staff for a Comment Card and let your voice be heard.
You can contact the PALS Manager through the following details:
- Free-phone: 0800 917 8504
- E-mail: pals@nht.northants.nhs.uk
- Address:
The PALS Manager, Sudborough House, St. Mary’s Hospital, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 7PW
How will you keep me safe?
How will you keep me safe?
Staff, patients and their relatives/carers must respect each other’s privacy and dignity.
The safety of our young people and staff is very important to the Burrows. The staff of the Burrows will always endeavour to ensure everyone is kept safe and de-escalate incidents of aggression. If a young person is at high risk of being unable to keep themselves safe, then staff may need to use physical interventions to manage the risk and ensure safety, however this will only be for the shortest time possible. Staff receive appropriate training on how to do this as safely as possible. (we have leaflets available on the ward). Afterwards staff will offer support to those directly or indirectly involved and will always ensure a debrief is completed. As part of our normal routine on the burrows, we have x3 members of staff wearing body-worn cameras. Staff wear body warning cameras to ensure we improve the safety of all young people and staff. (leaflets available on the ward)
If a response team is called from Berrywood Hospital to assist ward staff with a difficult situation, staff will be wearing body-mounted cameras for everyone’s safety.
Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated.
Discrimination against others due to their gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic background, disability, religious beliefs or other reasons will not be tolerated.
Staff will show respect for the opinions of patients and their visitors. In return, we expect patients and their visitors to show respect towards staff.
Reducing the risk of infection
There are a number of things you can do to help reduce the risk of infection during your stay:
- Wash your hands before preparing or eating meals and after using the toilet.
- Ask any member of staff if they have cleaned their hands before they have any direct contact/care with you or if you are not sure or worried.
- Expect staff to wear gloves and aprons when carrying out some tasks, such as dressing a wound, cleaning up spills of body fluids or handling dirty linen.
- Keep your toiletries for your personal use only.
- Try to keep clutter within your bed area or room to a minimum.
- Bed linen is to be changed as often as necessary and if you move rooms.
- Cover any exposed cuts or grazes with a waterproof dressing
- Ask staff to change any dressings if they become dirty or bloodstained.
- Inform a member of staff immediately if you have episodes of diarrhoea or vomiting.