Changes at St Mary’s Hospital mean fewer people with mental health problems and dementia are being turned away from the Isle of Wight.
Shackleton Specialist Ward closed five years ago due to care and staffing issues.
Since then, island patients with special needs have been sent to specialized beds on the mainland, separated from their families.
Afton Ward, which is now an inpatient unit, has been repositioned with two fewer beds, more staff and an enhanced care team to largely avoid the need for mainland beds.
Some specialized cases may still require treatment on the mainland.
Dr Leslie Stevens, director of mental health for the Isle of Wight NHS, who spoke at a meeting of Isle of Wight Council’s Health and Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee, said the pilot had received positive feedback. .
She said a “very negative experience” had been minimized and the dementia outreach team was an “incredible success story” that had “significantly” shortened the length of stay for patients who needed to be admitted to hospital. .
Demand for mental health dementia beds is also minimal.
Dr Stevens said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find needed beds on the mainland due to a strained health system.
“Staff on the ward have received dementia training and the working relationship with the outreach team is very strong and positive,” she said.
“Despite the challenges associated with mental health and dementia care, they have been able to remain trial-safe.”
