Forensic Services for Women

Alpha Hospital Sheffield provides a gender specific environment dedicated to the care and treatment of women with a Mental Disorder who are detailed under the Mental Health Act 1983. Treatment is in partnership with the patient, promoting a holistic approach to patient care. Strong emphasis is placed on relational security and empowerment. Therapies include: art psychotherapy, group and individual therapy focussing on the enhancement of inner strength, community and social skills promoting the patients' independence.

Facilities

All units within the Alpha Hospitals Group provide an exceptionally high standard of accommodation for patients. Patients have their own bedroom and en-suite bathroom offering maximum privacy. The Forensic Service for Women has access to spacious lounges, therapy rooms, occupational therapy kitchen and laundry facilities. In addition, patients have access to a large gymnasium where trained staff are able to work through health and fitness programmes with patients.

Standards

Alpha Hospitals adhere to the National Minimum Standards for PICUs and Low Secure Units.

In addition, the hospital supports the work undertaken in the following government reports:

• Mainstreaming Gender and Women's Mental Health
• Women's Mental Health - Into the Mainstream
• Women at Risk
• Women & Criminal Justice

The Team

All Alpha Hospitals are led by multidisciplinary teams which include: Consultant Psychiatrists, Associate Specialists, Clinical Psychologists, Art Psychotherapist, Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists.

Making a Referral

Enquiries regarding referrals should be made to the Business Development Team on during office hours or please ask for the Nurse in Charge outside of office hours.

The Admission Process

On admission, the patient is orientated to the hospital, introduced to their Key Nurse and given a copy of the Patient Information Guide which tells them about all aspects of the service, their care and important information on their rights.

Once the patient has settled, a programme of care will be discussed with the patient. This will be in the form of an Enhanced Care Programme Approach. This will address the personal needs of the patient taking into account social needs, cultural needs, therapeutic needs, medical needs, physical health and support needs and is in line with the principles of assessment set out in the National Framework for Mental Health. Once the patient agrees this, the multidisciplinary team and the patient will be issued with a copy of the care plan which will be reviewed at regular Care Programme Review Meetings. Relatives and carers are also encouraged to take an active part in this process with the agreement of the patient.

Advocacy

Alpha Hospitals appoint independent advocacy services for patients.

Advocacy is a means of supporting individuals in articulating their wishes and having them heard. Advocates promote the rights of their service users and give them a stronger voice with personal preferences and choices.

The advocate will help and support the patient to speak up for themselves or do this for them if they feel unable to do so. They will provide support at meetings i.e. CPA meetings, inform patients of their rights, inform patients of community services which they can access, help them make a complaint and help to refer the patient to other appropriate people if the advocate cannot assist with a particular enquiry.

Further information

Alpha Hospitals provide a Statement of Purpose for each site which is written in accordance with the requirements of the Healthcare Commission. If you would like a copy of the Statement of Purpose or further details on any Alpha Hospitals service, please contact Zsara Thomas, Business Development Director, at or telephone .