Star Wards

Here’s what members have said:

The impact on the wards ranges from reduction in incidents and use of PRN medication to service users leading groups and activities

Created tidal wave effect amongst staff and patients to develop ideas further.

Better client feedback, increased staff satisfaction, less aggression and violence, more therapeutic contact

No management instructions!!!!

What do we need to do to join?
Just email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What does it cost?

Nothing! Star Wards is funded by charitable trusts and the National Mental Health Development Unit. (Phew! We are incredibly appreciative of their support.)

What do we have to do once we’ve joined?

It’s completely up to you. We just provide ideas and resources and wards adapt and add to these in fantastic, energising, creative ways. We recognise the huge pressures you’re already under, and try to ease and definitely not exacerbate these! We hope that you’ll want to reciprocate the openness and generosity of Star Wards’ members, by sharing your best practice examples, challenges and resources such as benchmarking tools, and guidelines. This is also, of course, a great way of publicising the great work you’re doing.

There are 75 ideas. Where do we start??

Most members have firstly set up a Star Wards’ steering group, with nursing and other staff (including from the domestic and catering teams), service users and carers. And most have chosen to carry out a benchmarking exercise. This sounds rather heavy-duty but has invariably been found to be a really morale-boosting exercise for staff, as it shows how much good practice is already taking place. Members have created some great benchmarking tools, all available from our website.

Our advice would be to go for some quick wins at first, as this is a great way of making a real difference and raising team spirits.

Also… the 75 ideas are just part of Star Wards. It’s as much about approach and creativity as about specific ideas.

Is Star Wards all about providing more activities for patients?

The main impact of taking part is definitely an immediate increase in activities for patients. But it’s also about sharing responsibility with patients so that they can rebuild and extend their confidence, independence and skills. For example, all patients should be managing their own medication by the time they leave hospital, as 0 minutes later they’re going to be doing so back home.

We’re a secure unit. Can we join?

Yes please! Our members are across the full range of mental health wards and happily adapt the ideas for elderly, rehab, learning disability and all other patients.

We’re an independent hospital. Is there a charge for joining?

Yes, but a very modest one of £500 for a ward a year.

Please can you tell me as much as possible about Buddy?

Oh, okay. Buddy is Marion’s dog. (Marion set up Star Wards following her stint as a detained in-patient.) Buddy is a Tibetan Terrier with a keen sense of social justice. Her website is www.buddyjanner.org