Over 1,200 patients of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and Livewell Southwest have benefitted from two new wards at Mount Gould Hospital in the first year of opening.
The wards Saltram and Lopes form the Discharge Assessment Unit (DAU), which aims to provide space outside of the acute hospital setting and support patients to recover in a comfortable environment. The 52 bedded Nurse led unit, which is run jointly by UHP and Livewell, has seen over 1,200 patients since it opened a year ago, and enabled them to return home safely.
Nigel Mason, 56, from Cornwall was at the unit for rehabilitation for several weeks following his leg amputation. He has benefited from regular physiotherapy and is feeling positive about his recovery with the support of the staff. Using a metal frame and a temporary prosthetic limb, he is already able to walk around the unit whilst he is waiting for his own prosthetic leg to be fitted.
He said: It’s nice knowing that at the end of the tunnel, I’ll be walking out of here. The staff have been absolutely brilliant and they keep me going with tea and coffee when I can’t sleep at night and I couldn’t wish to be anywhere else. I have a window and can look straight out at the lovely view when I wake up.”
Celebrating with colleagues and cake, Discharge Assessment Unit Ward Manager Samantha Driscoll said: “We’ve recruited over 70 staff and continue to grow, giving patients health, social and wellbeing support and helping to continue their recovery through physio and occupational therapy support.
“The unit is also reducing the length of stay in the hospital by moving patients from the acute wards to a more suitable environment for recovery and helping them to regain essential skills and independence to return home.”
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